Trial begins over alleged fire safety failures in devastating Crewe care home blaze
A high-profile trial has begun at Chester Crown Court into alleged fire safety breaches connected to the devastating blaze that destroyed a retirement village in Crewe.
Four companies are facing a total of 14 charges over their roles in the fire that ripped through Beechmere, Rolls Avenue, on 8 August 2019.
The complex, home to around 150 residents, was completely destroyed, though remarkably no lives were lost.
The case, brought by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, focuses on alleged failures in the design, fire risk assessment, maintenance, and overall management of the facility.
Originally, six companies were under investigation, but proceedings against two, WSP UK Limited and MAC Roofing Ltd, have been dropped.
According to a court spokesperson, no evidence was offered against WSP UK, while charges against MAC Roofing were dismissed.
The four companies now standing trial are:
- Avantage (Cheshire) Ltd – A subsidiary of Your Housing Ltd, tasked with overseeing the design, construction, and operation of Beechmere
- Your Housing Ltd – Employed on-site staff and held responsibility for fire safety measures at the village
- Morgan Sindall Property Services Ltd – Contracted to manage facilities and maintenance on behalf of Avantage
- Total Fire Group Ltd – Hired to carry out fire risk assessments in 2017 and 2018
All four firms have pleaded not guilty.
The fire, which sent flames and smoke billowing across the Crewe skyline, shocked the local community and raised urgent questions about fire safety in residential care settings.
Though there were no fatalities, the incident led to the displacement of vulnerable elderly residents and the total loss of the building.
The trial, which started on Tuesday 6 May, is expected to run for eight to ten weeks.
READ MORE: Crewe college and care village unite to transform dementia care education.
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