Fires In Hmos Emphasise Necessity Of Fire Risk Assessments

Two recent fires in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) have highlighted the reasons a Responsible Person is required to carry out a fire risk assessment.

The fires in blocks of flats in London and Belfast occurred over the weekend (on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th January, respectively).

In Belfast, six people were rescued the from 16th floor of a block of flats; the residents found themselves trapped after a fire was maliciously started on a floor below them. Fortunately, the fire service responded quickly to the incident and brought the elderly man and five other residents safely out of the building.

In London, 40 firefighters attended a fire at a block of flats in which four firefighters suffered burns to their arms and legs while battling the blaze.

The fire damaged the ground, first and second floors of the three-story building in Wandsworth, south London.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation.

Fire risk assessments must be carried out in HMOs, otherwise the Responsible Person risks being prosecuted under Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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