02 Aug 2012
Fire has wrecked a decades-old family printing business on Merseyside.
An industrial unit belonging to S Barber and Co Ltd printing – built up by generations of the Barber family after being established 98 years ago – was one of several badly damaged by the blaze on an estate at Lipton Close, Bootle.
Firefighters from eight crews spent four hours battling the flames using water from the nearby Leeds-Liverpool Canal after being called to the scene during the early hours of July 30. The fire is not being treated as suspicious.
Nigel Barber, who owns the printing firm with brother Paul, said the blaze had left the building as a “black hole”. At least two of the units now may have to be pulled down by demolition crews.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 all commercial properties in England and Wales must have a “suitable and sufficient” fire risk assessment conducted.
If this is deemed to have been carried out insufficiently the responsible person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.
Copyright Press Association 2012