A court case concluded in February 2026 has sent a clear message to business owners and property managers across the UK: fire safety failings carry serious legal consequences – and in some cases, a custodial sentence.
Two companies and one individual were successfully prosecuted by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service following a long-running investigation into significant fire safety breaches at premises on Coventry Street in Nuneaton.
Qudhrat CIC, New Enterprise Limited, and Mariam Khan pleaded guilty to a total of 13 offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and were sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on 12th February 2026.
What the Court Found
The case began with a multi-agency inspection of the Nuneaton premises on 13th May 2021.
Inspecting officers identified several serious fire safety deficiencies during that visit.
The subsequent investigation determined that these failings constituted multiple breaches of the RRO — legislation that exists specifically to protect the lives of building occupants in the event of a fire.
During sentencing, Recorder Green KC did not mince his words, describing the situation as “a fire safety disaster waiting to happen.”
That phrase alone should give every responsible person pause for thought.
The Sentences
The penalties imposed were substantial.
Mariam Khan received a ten-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, alongside 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 50 hours of unpaid work.
Qudhrat CIC was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay costs of £15,059.59.
New Enterprise Limited was fined £56,000 with costs of £11,462.09.
In total, the financial penalties across all three defendants exceeded £200,000 — before the years of legal proceedings are factored in.
These are not token penalties.
They reflect the seriousness with which the courts view fire safety non-compliance, particularly where the lives of building occupants have been put at risk.
What the Authorities Said
Ben Brook, Chief Fire Officer at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, was clear in his message following the sentencing: compliance with fire safety legislation is a legal obligation, not a choice.
He expressed hope that the case would serve as a clear reminder to all Responsible Persons of their duties under the law.
Councillor Dale Bridgewater, portfolio holder for Fire and Rescue at Warwickshire County Council, echoed that sentiment, emphasising the commitment of the fire and rescue service to holding individuals and organisations accountable when they endanger lives through non-compliance.
What This Means for You
Cases like this one are not outliers.
Fire and Rescue Services across England and Wales have enforcement powers and they use them.
Inspections can be triggered by complaints, routine audits, licence applications, or changes in building use.
When inspectors find serious deficiencies, prosecution is very much on the table — as the defendants in this case discovered after a four-year investigation.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person for any non-domestic premises,whether an employer, building owner, landlord, or managing agent, is legally required to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is in place, that fire safety measures are implemented and maintained, and that the building is safe for its occupants.
Where premises are used for mixed purposes or house multiple occupants, the responsibilities can be more complex, but they do not diminish.
The 13 offences in this case were not the result of a single oversight.
They represented a pattern of serious, systemic failings.
But even a single significant breach — an inadequate fire risk assessment, a blocked escape route, a non-functioning alarm — can result in enforcement action.
Don’t Wait for an Inspection
The time to address fire safety failings is before an inspector arrives – not after.
At ESI: Fire Safety, we work with business owners, landlords, and property managers to ensure their premises are fully compliant with the RRO.
From initial fire risk assessments through to ongoing maintenance and staff training, we provide the expertise you need to meet your legal obligations and keep the people in your building safe.
