A LANDLORD who had a “a blatant disregard for his tenant’s safety” has been fined after being convicted of breaching fire safety regulations.

According to Lancashire Fire Service, Laurence Daw, 30, the landlord of Broadclough Mill in Burnley Road, Bacup, failed to comply with the requirements imposed by an Enforcement Notice.

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That followed an inspection of the multi-occupied business premises on February 3, last year, which found a “significant contraventions of the fire safety regulations”.

They included inadequate fire protection for escape routes, combustible materials within the communal escape route, inadequate emergency lighting and fire alarm system, poor emergency exit route signage, no fire risk assessment and inadequate locks on fire exits.

As a result of the inspection, which Daw failed to attend, he was issued an enforcement notice detailing the steps considered necessary to remedy the areas of non-compliance with fire safety regulations. a fire service spokesman said.

The spokesman said: “Although every effort was made to meet with Mr Daw at Broadclough Mill and assist him to ensure compliance with the Enforcement Notice by the specified dates, Mr Daw failed to attend on any occasion.

“Mr Daw eventually contacted the fire service on the day the Enforcement Notice should have been complied with in full, five months after it was issued.

“On further inspection of the mill by fire safety officers it was found that none of the works required to ensure the safety of the occupants, had been completed.”

Daws, of Applecross Drive in Burnley, pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with the requirements imposed by the enforcement notice.

He was fined £2,000, ordered him to pay costs of £2,600 and a victim surcharge of £400.

Speaking after the hearing, Daw said: “It is incredibly disappointing. My company never received the enforcement notice. I will be appealing this decision.”

Tony Crook, who heads up prevention, protection and road safety at the fire service said: “We will continue to focus efforts and resources on providing advice and support to landlords and business owners that want it but, as with this case, use a robust enforcement approach to deal with those who compromise on safety.”