Tom Day represented the former Chairman of Lancashire County Council who faced 12 charges relating to breaches of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 placing one or more people at risk of death or serious injury. The prosecution arose as a consequence of a fire in a building owned by Tom’s client and let out to tenants. The fire made national news as a result of its severity and the fact that one of the occupants had to throw their toddler from the first floor window before being rescued.
The investigation of Lancashire Fire Service identified fire safety failings going back over 20 years to the creation of the flats, in particular the investigation revealed that the fire alarm was not working and probably had not been working for nearly ten years, the doors were not constructed to adhere to appropriate standards, there was no emergency lighting or smoke detector in the only route of escape, and the electrical consumer unit was not protected in a fire resistant box.
Tom negotiated acceptable guilty pleas and the matter was committed for sentence to Preston Crown Court. The sentencing judge was persuaded to impose a suspended sentence of imprisonment and a fine.
Tom was instructed by David Edwards of Harrison Drury Solicitors.
To read about the case in the national press click here and here.
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