Six companies face charges over 'tragic' Crewe retirement village fire
Six companies are facing charges over a fire that destroyed a Crewe retirement village in 2019 - where over 150 residents lost their homes and possessions.
On 8 August 2019, Beechmere Retirement Village, Rolls Avenue was destroyed by fire.
The fire was one of the biggest ever attended by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service with 70 firefighters deployed at its height to bring it under control.
Over 150 residents lost their homes and possessions, with no one injured.
The fire has had a huge impact on the lives of former care home residents - with some passing away since the incident.
Since 2019, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has worked "tirelessly" to investigate the cause of the Crewe fire.
On Monday 3 July, the service confirmed it is bringing charges against six companies for "failing to comply with the Fire Safety (Regulatory Reform) Order 2005 at Beechmere."
The six companies due to appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 8 August are:
- Avantage (Cheshire) Ltd
- Your Housing Ltd
- Morgan Sindall Property Services Ltd
- WSP UK Ltd
- Total Fire Group Ltd
- MAC Roofing and Contractors Ltd
A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Since 2019 the Service has worked tirelessly to investigate the cause of the fire and establish any potential breaches of fire safety legislation.
"This has been a long and complex process owing to the scale of the fire and the number of parties involved in designing, building, maintaining and managing the building."
During the course of the investigation, alleged breaches of the Order were also discovered at another retirement village, Hazelmere on Hambleton Way, Winsford.
Remedial work has since been carried out at Hazelmere as well as other linked developments.
Crewe and Nantwich MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, responded to the news of the prosecutions being brought.
Dr Mullan added: "I am glad that the investigation into the tragic events at the Beechmere Retirement Complex is finally moving forward.
"I know many residents and their families have been very frustrated at the long wait to get the answers that they deserve.
"They still don't have those answers, but we have now taken a major step forward.
"Whilst I did ask Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service to meet with residents, they were limited in what they could say at the time.
"Given the number of organisations named today, it was obviously a complex investigation."
"We must now let the justice system run its course. I am sure throughout this process there will be difficult moments for former residents and their families.
"We know sadly some residents have passed away since the fire.
"As well as ensuring where necessary there is accountability for what happened, this trial can also help ensure that lessons are learned so that nothing like this ever happens again."
The Beechmere site is currently being redeveloped for a new care home facility on Rolls Avenue.
READ MORE: 'Aggressive' man arrested after stealing and threatening to stab staff at Crewe service station.
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