Businessman pays out six figure sum for fire safety breaches

The owner of a timber yard has been ordered to pay a total of £130,300 after pleading guilty to several breaches of fire safety legislation. Paul Ashley, of P and S Ashley Timberworks, in Cheshire, was found guilty of eight offenses against the Fire Safety Order at the Cheshire Crown Court on 11 May. He was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay Cheshire Fire and Rescue service £50,300 in costs after repeatedly refusing to carry out fire safety measures. Despite being visited on several occasions by fire safety officers, the first time in February 2008, Mr Ashley failed to provide a suitable fire alarm or proper means of escape. He also failed to implement a ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessment. Mark Cashin, deputy chief fire officer, said: “This is an excellent result. Fire safety is a key part of good business management and Mr Ashley showed little or no regard for the safety of his employees or the people living and working around his premises.”

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