Punk band's recording studio gutted by fire
The recording studio of post-punk band New Model Army has been destroyed after fire tore through the Bradford-based premises on Christmas Eve.
The blaze started in a furniture outlet directly above the group's studio and eventually spread downstairs, causing extensive damage and resulting in the roof collapsing.
Ten fire crews attended the incident but could not save their studio equipment, such as the desk, microphones and recording gear, as well as the majority of their instruments.
However, singer Justin Sullivan revealed on the band's blog that they were able to save a select number of instruments from the blaze, while much of their touring equipment was not held in the studio.
"We'd like to thank the firefighters who contained the fire and saved the Mill [the club adjacent to the furniture store] in difficult and dangerous conditions," he added.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales.
If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.
Posted by Paul Clarke
