Meeting to be held on 15 September 2025
Contact for further information – Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO), Sam Pink.
Tel: 01772 866802
Executive SummaryThis report summarises Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) prosecutions pertaining to fire safety offences, in addition to convictions resulting from arson incidents which have been progressed via the criminal justice process.
Given the rapidly evolving regulatory change in building fire safety, an update on Fire Protection and Business Support may also be provided, detailing how the Service is adapting delivery whilst developing our workforce, to ensure that we keep pace with the changes and improve public and firefighter safety within the built environment.
RecommendationThe Authority is asked to note the report. |
Fire Safety Convictions
Prosecutions
On 26 June 2025 sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court for the responsible person (Mr Shahzad Syed Haider) for breaches of the Fire Safety Order at a commercial car parts /garage premises in Blackburn. This incident also involved a fire death on the premises.
Mr Shahzad Syed Haider was sentenced to:
· 9 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months
· 100 hours community service
· £10,000 costs.
On 26 June 2025 sentencing also took place at Preston Crown Court for the responsible person (Mr Sean Broadhurst) and company (St Lukes (Preston) Ltd) for breaches of the Fire Safety Order at a set of residential flats in Preston.
The sentencing outcomes were as follows:
· Sean Broadhurst was fined £17,000 and £14,161.66 costs.
· St Lukes (Preston) Ltd were fined £60,000 and £14,161.66 costs.
On 11 July 2025 Fire Safety Officers attended Preston Crown Court for an outcome appeal by Fylde Fire Systems who were sentenced on 7May 2025. Fylde Fire Systems Limited were originally sentenced and received the following sanctions due to their actions at the Morvern Care Home, Thornton-Cleveleys.
· A fine of £30,000, and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
· Ordered to pay £18,725 in costs to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.
The Judge upheld the initial fine and costs to Fylde Fire Systems, a reduction in the victim’s surcharge was awarded.
Prosecutions in the Court system
Three cases currently sit within the court system.
The other defendant in the Morvern Care Centre prosecution case will now be sentenced on 26 September 2025 after pleading guilty to breaches of the Fire Safety Order on 16 June 2025.
The responsible person for two houses in multiple occupation (Bacup and Darwen) pleaded guilty to breaches of the Fire safety Order on 13 August 2025 at Preston Magistrates Court. A sentencing date is yet to be set.
An NHS Trust and maintenance company are to appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court on 1 of October 2025.
Protection teams continue to investigate and build case files in relation to nine other premises where offences are believed to have been committed under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005, which include the following:
· Care and Nursing Home x 1
· House in Multiple Occupation x 1
· Residential Flats x 1
· Mixed commercial and Residential x 1
· Commercial but not residential (Used for sleeping) x 2
· Large Nightclub x 1
· Hotel x 1
· Supported Living x 1
Arson Risk Reduction
Address – Pringle Street, Blackburn
Date and Time of Call – 29/10/2023, 21:08
This incident involved the deliberate ignition of clothing in the lounge of a purpose built flat. Fire spread caused severe damage to a window frame and carpet, and severe smoke damage to the lounge.
The defendant pleaded guilty to arson (criminal damage) and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 24 months.
R v Katrina McGough
Address – Wickworth Street, Nelson
Date and Time of Call – 19/05/2024, 01:52
This incident involved the deliberate ignition of a blanket and sofa in the lounge of a mid-terraced house. The fire caused minor damage to the blanket and sofa cushions and light smoke damage to the room of origin.
The defendant, who was the occupier of the property, pleaded guilty to reckless arson and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
R v Harry Cockshutt
Address – Adelaide Street, Fleetwood
Date and Time of Call – 10/03/2025, 23:36
This incident involved the deliberate ignition of combustible materials in the bedroom of a mid-terraced house. The fire caused severe damage by fire to the carpet, clothing, TV and bed, and severe smoke damage to the remainder of the first floor and contents.
The defendant pleaded guilty to reckless arson and was sentenced to 2 years in prison, suspended for 18 months.
R v K Gaskell
Address – Park Road Blackpool
Date and Time of Call – 26/11/2024, 04:40
This incident involved the deliberate ignition of combustible materials in the rear bedroom of a semi-detached house. The fire caused severe damage by fire, smoke and heat to the room and contents, and severe smoke damage to the remainder of the first floor.
The defendant pleaded guilty to reckless arson and was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, having served approximately 5 months in prison when remanded from the initial charge.
There are another 18 live cases ongoing through the Criminal Justice System that we are continuing to progress.
Moderate – Members are made aware of prosecutions related to fire safety activity and / or arson within Lancashire, to satisfy themselves that the required robust approach is being pursued.
None.
Data Protection (GDPR)
Will the proposal(s) involve the processing of personal data?
No
None.
None.
Failure of Responsible Persons to meet new legislative requirements placed upon them, may result in LFRS undertaking additional prosecution cases in future.
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Reason for inclusion in Part 2 if appropriate: Insert Exemption Clause