A Morecambe landlord has pleaded guilty to two fire safety offences at a block of flats.

Eli Zohar was prosecuted by Lancashire Fire and Rescue after failing to comply with an enforcement notice which related to the adequacy of the premises’ fire precautions and his failure to maintain the emergency lighting.

Zohar was initially charged with six breaches but agreed to plead guilty to two offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Preston Magistrates Court.

Mr Zohar will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court in December.

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue spokesman commented: “Mr Zohar is a landlord of a large number of properties in the Morecambe area, and has a duty to ensure that his tenants are provided a safe environment.

“In our constant drive to make Lancashire safer, fire safety enforcement teams are actively seeking out such premises.

“We would hope the outcome of this case sends a clear message fire safety is a priority issue that should always be addressed before tenants or guests are accommodated.”

Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.