Pair fined over fire breaches at Hove properties following blaze (From The Argus)

Pair fined over fire breaches at Hove properties following blaze

2:55pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News

A couple have been convicted of fire safety breaches following a serious blaze at their property.

Fire bosses launched an investigation after fire broke out at the property owned by Gamal Khalil Ibrahim Khalil and Fulorina Fuad Sayidhum in Hove in July last year.

But the couple ignored requests for information from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service which hindered the investigation under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Khalili and Sayidhum were convicted of breaches of fire safety legislation relating to their premises - 68 to 72 Western Road and 17 Palmeira Square - which are a mix of business and residential addresses.

At Brighton Magistrates' Court they were fined £500 each and ordered to pay costs totalling £2,890.

Richard Fowler, the head of protection for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to remind all persons responsible for buildings of their legal responsibility to protect their occupiers and any staff against the risk of fire.

“The public should continue to be reassured that we take any breaches of fire safety very seriously, including the duty to provide information when requested, as this is fundamental to enabling Inspectors to carry out their statutory functions.”