A company has been hit with a £36,000 fine for the 'serious fire safety concerns' found at a student accommodation block it owned in Sheffield. 

A resident raised concerns about the safety of the block on Rockingham Lane, which led to an inspection from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The inspection found that dust covers had been left on smoke detectors, there was poor fire separation between flats and escape routes, and the roller shutter door being used as an escape route was 'inadequate'.

Ashgate Property Developments Ltd was found guilty of three offences under the Fire Safety Order 2005 at Sheffield Magistrates' Court, where they were fined £36,000 and forced to pay prosecution costs of £12,000.

Steve Helps from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said,  "This verdict should serve as a stark warning to property developers and landlords that they have a duty under fire safety laws to ensure people sleeping in premises they're responsible for are safe from the risk of fire."

Original Source 
BBC