27 Apr 2012
An investigation has begun into the cause of a fire, following the blaze at a Chinese takeaway in Leeds from which six people had to be escorted to safety.
At 3.45am on Tuesday morning, the alarm was raised by a resident from one of the two-storey apartments located above the block of shops on Kirkstall Road, of which the Eastern Ocean take-away was a part of.
Fire crews attended and watch commander Shaun Gautey revealed that six people needed to be led to safety down the stairs. The resident who raised the alarm further assisted emergency services by opening the rear access to the property, allowing fire safety personnel to deal with the fire.
The investigation will look at whether a ‘suitable and sufficient’ fire risk had been conducted which is mandatory for all commercial properties in England and Wales under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a maximum two-year prison sentence or an unlimited fine for the named ‘Responsible Person’.
Copyright Press Association 2012