Firms urged to carry out fire risk assessment

Companies have been told that they need to carry out a fire risk assessment.

According to Lee Shears, community fire protection department group manager at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), firms need to put in place the necessary safeguards to protect members of staff.

Speaking to the Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News, he said: "Prosecution is always a last resort but we will not shy away from it if businesses do not ensure appropriate fire safety measures."

Mr Shears was commenting after a local company was prosecuting and fined over £2,500 as a result of a failure to provide emergency lighting and a fire alarm.

Those who do not have a fire risk assessment could face as much as two years in jail if they are taken to court, it was added by the CFRS representative.

The service runs 24 fire stations in the area and operates from a headquarters in Winsford.