B&B owner fined more than £8,500 after fire exposed safety breaches

A bed and breakfast owner has been ordered to pay more than £8,500 after a fire at the property exposed safety breaches.

David Riella, the joint owner of Deganwy Bed and Breakfast, Looe, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Officers from Cornwall Fire and Rescue found a fire risk assessment had not been carried out and exit routes were not protected or properly lit when they attended the fire in June 2021.

Chief fire officer Kathryn Billing said "Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service's vision is working together to make people safer, and wherever possible we want to work with local business owners to ensure they have the right fire safety advice and understand their responsibilities in keeping their guests and visitors safe. However, when premises do not comply and we believe the public are at risk, we will take action to enforce fire safety regulations."

Riella was fined £3,840 and told to pay a £4,537 in costs and a £190 victim surcharge.