More than two in three businesses inspected by fire regulators have been found to be putting lives at risk.

Seventy-six of the 109 premises inspected by East Sussex Fire and Rescue (ESFR) in the first quarter of the year required enforcement action– with just 33 passing the necessary requirements.

Among the failed premises were schools, a nursery and hotels.

Mark Hobbs, ESFR business safety manager, told The Argus it was time employees took responsibility before it was too late.

He added: “They shouldn’t wait and sit back for us to come round and tell them. It could be too late by then. The responsibility and onus is on them..”

Of the businesses inspected four were handed formal notices which require immediate action.

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy was served a formal alteration notice at the start of the year.

Inspectors judged that due to the design of the building any alterations could “constitute a serious risk”.

Elsewhere the Anchor Inn in Hastings was handed a prohibition notice due to “hazardous conditions” affecting the means of escape. The business was banned from using their upper floors for sleeping accommodation until changes were made.

Danger

Hove’s Pumpkin Patch Nursery, in New Church Road, was on the receiving end of an enforcement notice after managers failed to act on calls for improvement along with Super Pizza Chicken in White Rock, Hastings, after bosses failed to carry out a fire risk assessment.

A number of more serious cases resulted in prosecutions, with Brighton’s Hotel Nineteen, in Broad Street, convicted for multiple breaches of fire safety relating to means of escape, precautions and failure to comply with a formal notice. Magistrates awarded bosses a two-year conditional discharge and costs of £1,000.

An informal caution was also handed to Eastbourne’s Choice Vehicle Rentals for “serious and imminent danger to occupants relating to adverse fire safety matters”.

Mr Hobbs added:“We target our inspections on buildings we consider to be high risk so are therefore more likely to find problems than if at random.

“But saying that, it is clear more work needs to be done. Business owners need to stay on top of fire safety.

“It is their responsibility. The best thing for them to do is to visit our website for information.”