Restaurants issued fire safety warning

By Becky Paskin

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags London fire brigade

Restaurants issued fire safety warning
Restaurants have been warned by the London Fire Brigade to ensure they meet fire safety regulations, or face a large fine in the case of Solly’s Restaurant in Golders Green

The London Fire Brigade​ has issued a warning to restaurateurs to ensure their premises meets fire safety regulations, after ‘serious breaches’ resulted in a fire and a £17k fine being issued to Solly’s Restaurant in Golders Green.

When a fire broke out at the kosher Israeli restaurant in 2007, fire crews found nine breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO), as well as staff members tackling the blaze themselves, collecting up personal items or simply ‘running around in confusion.’

Upon extinguishing the fire, which destroyed the roof of the restaurant and took six fire engines and 30 fire fighters to control, the crews discovered a locked emergency exit, obstructed escape routes and an absence of smoke and fire detection amongst other hazards.

Assistant commissioner for fire safety regulation Steve Turek said the lack of a clear plan when a fire breaks out could put people’s lives at risk. “All premises owners and operators must make themselves aware of the regulations, to undertake a fire safety risk assessment, which is now mandatory, act upon its findings and put in place an emergency plan,” he said.

The fire was found to have broken out in the extract ventilation system, an area included in the fire safety risk assessment and one that Turek advises restaurants to take particular care of.

“A kitchen extract ventilation system draws grease laden air directly from the areas above cookers, grills and fryers via the cooker hood and discharges it into the atmosphere. These grease deposits are easily ignited by even a small flash fire on or in the fryer, hob or grill and flames and heat can then quickly spread through the building, causing substantial damage and endangering lives.”

Solly’s Restaurant and owner Linda Sade were found guilty of nine breaches of the RRO, and were fined £3.3k and £750 respectively. The London Fire Brigade was awarded £10.6k to be paid by the company, and £2k by Sade.

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