Major Fire Safety Breaches Lead To £85,000 Fine For Berkshire Firm

A court has quashed an appeal brought by a restaurant owner against a hefty fine after a fire revealed major fire safety breaches in the premises.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service originally brought a prosecution against Beta UK Ltd who owns Malik’s Restaurant in Cookham, Berkshire. The case was heard by Reading Magistrate’s Court in October 2020.

Fire at Malik’s Restaurant in Cookham, Berkshire

Police have said they think the attack was an attempt to endanger lives"

The court heard that on 6 December 2016, firefighters attended a fire at Malik’s Restaurant that took over four hours to put out. Photographs in the local press from the time show fire damage to the front of the restaurant. Seven people were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.

A month later, the BBC reported that: “Police have said they think the attack was an attempt to endanger lives.” Malik Ahmed, the restaurant owner, offered a £10,000 reward for information that would lead to a conviction for arson.

Major fire safety breaches

Fire investigators discovered major fire safety breaches when they visited the premises after a fire. The deficiencies included insufficient fire alarm and detection in the living quarters and a lack of compliant fire doors.

Beta UK Ltd pleaded guilty to six charges under the Fire Safety Order which resulted in a fine of £85,000. Appealing the fine, Beta UK Ltd was in court again in May 2021. Reading Crown Court upheld the £85,000 fine and said that Beta UK Ltd must pay the fire service’s costs in bringing the case to court.

Complying with fire safety legislation

Jess James, Area Manager at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “As this case strongly illustrates, complying with fire safety legislation is not optional. Failure to do so can put people’s lives at risk. We will always work with businesses but, as with this case, we won’t hesitate to prosecute if members of our communities are put at risk.”