On New Years’ Eve 40 people lost their lives and 116 people were injured in the fire that occurred at Le Constellation bar in Switzerland. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragic incident.
We understand that tragedies of this kind may cause concern about safety in public venues closer to home, so we want to reassure the public that fire safety in licensed premises across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is subject to robust regulation.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) play a key role in regulating fire safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation places a legal duty on the Responsible Person (the owner, operator, or employer) to ensure that fire risks are properly assessed and managed, and that appropriate fire safety measures are in place.
We support and enforce this legislation by:
- Carrying out risk-based inspections of licensed and public-facing premises.
- Assessing compliance with fire safety requirements, including means of escape, fire detection, alarm systems, emergency lighting, and maximum occupancy levels.
- Taking enforcement action where necessary to address serious fire safety concerns.
- Working closely with local authorities, police, and licensing bodies to promote public safety.
Licensed premises are assessed according to their level of risk, and those with higher risk are subject to more frequent scrutiny. Where deficiencies are identified, Responsible Persons must take prompt action to address these.
Assistant Director of Community Safety, James Lucy, said:
“Public safety remains our highest priority, and our focus is always on preventing incidents and protecting our community. Our teams continue to work proactively; supporting businesses to ensure they understand their legal responsibilities and maintain safe environments for employees and customers.”
If you have any concerns about the fire safety of a premises, you can raise this with the venue management or report concerns directly to us via our online reporting tool.
If you are a business owner or Responsible Person and you would like support with business fire safety and understanding your legal obligations, you can sign up for one of our free webinars or access more information in the workplace area of our website.
