A restaurant owner has been fined thousands of pounds for fire safety breaches.
Sawar Hussain, the company director of Naasta, an Indian takeaway located at 226 London Road, Burgess Hill, was ordered to pay £6,200.
On Monday, 8 September 2025 at Brighton Magistrates' Court, Mr Hussain faced five charges under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, brought to the courtroom by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
The court found him guilty of breaching this legislation.
An audit conducted by officers identified numerous serious fire safety breaches at the property, which put the lives of people sleeping in the building at considerable risk.
These included: a lack of a suitable fire alarm system; inadequate means of escape; inadequate fire safety arrangements; lack of testing and maintenance of key fire safety systems, including fire alarms and emergency lighting; and no evidence of sufficient staff training.
Area manager Dave Bray, head of fire safety for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Fire safety regulations are in place for a reason and those with legal responsibility for fire safety management must adhere to these laws.
"The safety of the public is our highest priority, and this sentencing serves as a clear reminder to all West Sussex businesses about the importance of complying with the fire safety legislation."
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He added: "West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is committed to supporting businesses to ensure the safety of the public by providing fire safety advice and guidance and will always work with those who are willing to address their fire safety issues.
"However, we will not allow companies to attempt to hide from their duties when our Fire Safety Regulators identify that the lives of the public are being put at risk and will pursue legal action when appropriate."
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