Bridgwater Airbnb host fined as guests put at 'serious' risk

An Airbnb host has been fined £52,000 after admitting seven fire safety offences that put guests at "serious" risk.

Following an inspection in August 2024, owners of Walpole House in Bridgwater were temporarily banned from renting out the accommodation to guests after inspectors found there were no fire doors, fire alarms or evacuation procedures in place.

These deficiencies raised "significant concerns about the safety of people sleeping at the premises", inspectors said.

Fire safety inspector Tony Hickey said the consequences of inadequate fire safety can be "devastating", adding: "The failures identified in this case were serious."

Walpole House Limited was sentenced at Taunton Magistrates' Court on Monday after pleading guilty to seven offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The company was fined £52,000 and ordered to pay a £2,000 surcharge and prosecution costs of £9,801.

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Michael George Krishnan, one of the directors of Walpole House, who also operated a separate sole-trader business providing sleeping accommodation at the premises, was prosecuted separately.

He was fined £1,480 and ordered to pay a £592 surcharge. He also pleaded guilty to seven offences under the fire safety order.

Hickey investigated the case on behalf of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service after the issue came to light following a referral from the local council.

The accommodation deficiencies meant guest lacked adequate warning of a fire and abilities to escape safely, inspectors added.

Hickey continued: "Fire safety is not optional. Anyone providing sleeping accommodation has a legal responsibility to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place to protect the lives of those staying at their premises."

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