Trial over retirement complex blaze begins

A trial into alleged breaches of fire safety regulations by four companies in Cheshire got under way on Tuesday.

Beechmere retirement village in Crewe, which housed about 150 residents, was destroyed by a fire on 8 August 2019.

The case relates to failings in the design, risk assessment, management and maintenance of the complex.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service initially pursued six firms, but has since ceased action against two of them.

No evidence was offered against WSP UK Limited according to a court representative, while the fire service said six charges against MAC Roofing Ltd were dismissed.

The service said it was now pursuing a total of 14 charges against the remaining four companies – all of whom have pleaded not guilty.

The firms involved are:

• Avantage (Cheshire) Ltd – a subsidiary of Your Housing Ltd which was contracted to procure the design, build and finance of Beechmere and operate the village.
• Your Housing Ltd – employed staff at Beechmere and was responsible for fire safety measures at the site.
• Morgan Sindall Property Services Ltd – the facilities management subcontractor to Avantage with responsibility for repairs and maintenance.
• Total Fire Group Ltd – contracted to carry out fire risk assessments in August 2017 and August 2018 at Beechmere.

The trial at Chester Crown Court is expected to last between eight and 10 weeks.

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