Portsmouth flats were left unsafe after dodgy fire inspection - but residents were kept in the dark

An insufficient risk assessment at Forbes Court in London Road, Hilsea – which the fire service said endangered occupants – led to the punishment. Watson, Wild and Baker Ltd and its former director and risk assessor, Adrian Watson, were found guilty of failing to make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment by a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court in July.

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Judge Timothy Mousley sentenced the defendants on Friday, November 4, forcing them to pay fines and costs of over £100,000. He said the risk assessment ‘fell far short of the appropriate standards.’

Sailesh Mehta, prosecuting for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, said: ‘It was the duty of these defendants to ensure that they got it right. Others depended on them doing their duty and the jury found that they fell so far below the duty that the risk was death or serious injury.’

The assessment at the block of flats failed to evaluate every aspect of the building. The fire service became aware of the situation in 2017.

The property company responsible for flats conducted an investigation, and it was deemed safe after a new assessor did a comprehensive evaluation. Watson and the defendants refused to accept that by not looking at every risk, including the potential for escape routes to be blocked, occupants risked serious injury and death.

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Jason Avery, fire service area manager, said: ‘We will never shy away from taking action if fire safety risks are ignored. By failing to consider every aspect of this building’s safety, the defendants had no idea if Forbes Court was a safe place for those who lived there, or not.

‘Fire risk assessments are at the very heart of fire safety for any building and must be carried out properly to protect residents.’

Watson, Wild and Baker Ltd were fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £25,000 in costs. Watson was fined £5,040 and handed £10,000 in costs.

Half a dozen residents asked about the assessment did not know about it. Mr Avery added: ‘Under the Fire Safety Order, all those responsible for buildings must make sure a thorough fire risk assessment has been carried out.’