Warrington business owner Muhammad Wasim has been prosecuted and ordered to pay £4,420 after committing serious breaches of fire safety legislation, having continued to use a premises for residential purposes despite a Prohibition Notice issued by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Wasim was found guilty of breaching the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 by failing to meet his fire safety responsibilities and disregarding a legally-binding notice that prohibited the use of the building for sleeping or living accommodation.

The premises was first identified as a concern during a routine business safety engagement visit conducted by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, which subsequently prompted a full fire safety inspection. That inspection, undertaken in January 2023, highlighted multiple serious deficiencies. These included a lack of adequate separation between commercial and residential areas, insufficient fire detection and alarm coverage, compromised escape routes, and the absence of emergency lighting.

Given the severity of risk to life, a Prohibition Notice was issued, preventing the first floor from being used for sleeping or residential purposes. However, a follow-up visit in January 2024 found that the Notice had been ignored and that the premises continued to be used for accommodation. Further inspections confirmed that the previously identified fire safety failings had not been rectified.

Wasim was subsequently convicted under Article 32(2)(h) of the Fire Safety Order for failing to comply with a Prohibition Notice.

Kristian Clowes, Group manager for protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our priority is to protect people from fire risk. We always aim to work with businesses to ensure properties are safe, but when individuals ignore our warnings and legal notices, we will take action. This prosecution sends a clear message that fire safety breaches will not be tolerated.”

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