Business owner fined for obstructing fire safety process

16/09/2025

A Cambridgeshire business owner has been prosecuted for failing to provide mandatory fire safety information.

Following repeated requests for information, which businesses are required to provide under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service pursued the prosecution of the business owner, based in Wisbech, Fenland.

The case was brought after fire safety officers were carrying out their statutory duties to assess and enforce fire safety standards at the premises. The individual refused to provide essential information required to evaluate compliance with fire safety regulations, information that is legally required to ensure adequate measures are in place to protect life. This refusal meant the officers were unable to complete an inspection.

Following legal proceedings initiated in 2024 and appeal at Huntingdon Law Courts in July, the individual was found to be in breach of fire safety law and issued a fine totalling more than £4,700.

Station Commander Jeff Whitlam, one of the Service’s fire protection managers, said: “We welcome this judgement as it sends a clear message to businesses owners across the county. While we will work hard to support local businesses, the public and promote fire safety, we will not tolerate deliberate obstruction of fire safety enforcement. The law is in place to protect lives, and those who refuse to cooperate with our officers put people and premises at risk.

“The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 grants us the authority to request specific information, and failure to comply is a criminal offence.

“We urge all responsible persons and business operators to fully understand their obligations under fire safety law and to cooperate fully with any inspections or requests made by authorised officers.”

Our Business Safety section contains lots of information about how businesses can keep their businesses fire safe, as well as the responsibilities of a responsible person and what is required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This includes a series of animated videos detailing where the Fire Safety Order applies, as well as an introduction to fire risk assessment.