An agent has been fined after allegedly ignoring official health and safety correspondence.
The East Sussex Fire Authority has prosecuted Gareth Reed and his company, Riverstone-Abbey Estate Agents Limited, for offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Magistrates fined Reed £12,500 and he was ordered to pay a £2,000 statutory victim surcharge.
His company was fined £7,500.
Reed was also ordered to pay £2,525.31 towards the costs of the investigation.
The prosecution follows a fire in Hastings in May 2025, at a property then managed by Reed and his company.
Three people suffered smoke inhalation after residents became trapped inside the premises as smoke filled the common areas and obstructed their escape.
Following the fire, fire officers identified what they call “significant fire safety deficiencies” including a fire detector that did not appear to be secured in its intended position on the kitchen ceiling; doors that were not fire-resisting and were not fitted with self-closing devices; and a lack of evidence that residents had been provided with information about what to do in the event of a fire.
Magistrates heard that Reed, the sole director of Riverstone-Abbey Estate Agents Limited, failed, without reasonable excuse, to provide documents and information required.
A statement from the fire authority says: “The message is clear: official correspondence from the Fire and Rescue Service must not be ignored.
“Businesses, landlords, managing agents and those with fire safety responsibilities should ensure official correspondence is dealt with promptly and responded to within the required timeframe.
“If there is any uncertainty or difficulty meeting a deadline, they should contact the inspector without delay.
“A letter from the Fire and Rescue Service may be an important step in identifying and addressing risks to life.
“Reading it, acting on it, and responding appropriately are essential steps in protecting occupants and ensuring compliance with fire safety legislation.”
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places legal duties on the Responsible Person to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of relevant persons from fire.
A fire service spokesperson adds: “Effective fire safety management is essential to reduce the likelihood of fire and to ensure that, should a fire occur, it can be detected quickly and occupants can escape safely.
“This case also highlights the importance of responding to official correspondence. Ignoring a letter or failing to respond to a lawful request for information is not a way to avoid scrutiny; it can lead to further enforcement action and prosecution.
“We hope this prosecution and the penalties imposed by the court serve as a clear reminder that fire safety responsibilities must be taken seriously, and that lawful requests from authorised inspectors must be dealt with promptly.”
