Fire safety breaches at Derbyshire care home

Midshires Healthcare Limited, which owns the care home in Church Street, Riddings, was sentenced for four breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Derby Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday, February 19).

On May 29, 2013, firefighters were called to attend a fire at premises on Church Street, Riddings. Upon arrival, all residents were out of the property and the firefighters entered the building wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze, which had started on the first floor in one of the resident’s bedrooms.

Upon inspection of the care home, firefighters found several possible breaches of fire safety regulations. Fire doors were wedged open, self- closing door devices had been removed or were ineffective, some fire doors were ill fitting and combustible furnishings were blocking escape routes.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service area manager Steve McLernon said: “If the fire had occurred a few hours later when the residents were asleep, the outcome could have been much worse.

“The means of escape were obstructed with furniture, some fire doors were damaged or ineffective and the escape lighting and fire alarm were not maintained. Investigations revealed that the care homes’ fire risk assessment had not been reviewed since May 5, 2012, which would have probably identified the deficiencies and the measures required to make the premises s