The supported living care provider were prosecuted by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) for failing to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
On Friday 24th January 2025 Potensial Limited, a supported living care provider, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court for failing to keep up with sufficient fire safety standards at one of their houses based in Colne, Lancashire.
Image: The front of the property the fire broke out at.
The hearing came after LFRS were called to an incident of arson at the property back in July 2019. The disturbance tragically caused the death of one resident at the house and left another in hospital for two weeks after they suffered smoke inhalation.
After the fire, officials from LFRS investigated the scene and found faults with escape routes, the automatic fire alarm system, management of the premises and the presence of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
Fast forward to September 2024 and Potensial Limited pled guilty to two accusations which include:
- Failure to take such general fire safety precautions so as to ensure the safety of residents and staff
- Failure to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk.
As a result, the care provider have been issued a fine worth £135,000 and informed it is vital they amendments to the facility which have totalled at £18,705. Potensial Limited will also be required to pay a victim surcharge – a sum of money paid to people affected by a crime – thought the amount is yet to be calculated.
Commenting on the case, Ian Armistead, protection department group manager for LFRS, said this prosecution ‘should serve as a reminder to anyone with responsibility for fire safety to ensure the standards of their properties are kept within the requirements of the law and their legal duties.’
‘It is our constant drive to make Lancashire safer, our fire safety enforcement teams are always actively seeking out other dangerous premises,’ Ian continued. ‘In this instance the consequences of the deliberate fire, led to the loss of life. The Service then conducted an investigation, which in turn resulted in a prosecution for those responsible for the premises under the Fire Safety Order.
‘Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service will always work with those willing to address fire safety issues and businesses can be assured that we will continue to support them in complying with the Fire Safety Order.’
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