The leaseholders of a block of flats found to be in breach of fire regulations have appeared in court on safety charges, reports the BBC.

First Job Ltd, director Daniel Orasanu and former director Carmen Maria Lupu, face charges including failing to comply with a prohibition order which could have led to death or serious injury in case of a fire.

Eighty residents were moved from Metro Court in West Bromwich in July. All have found new accommodation.

At the time the residents moved, Sandwell Council said the former office block had "a long list of problems" including fire alarms that were not working.

First Job Ltd was responsible for meeting building and fire safety regulations when the building, owned by Metro Court Ltd, was converted from offices to flats.

Sandwell Council said it had secured a closure order on Metro Court in West Bromwich and the site is now empty.

Both men face 29 charges under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

They have not entered any pleas and the case has been sent to Wolverhampton Crown Court on 14 September.

Original source

BBC