Landlords have been informed that they could face jail if they do not ensure their premises meet fire safety standards.

Cleveland Fire Brigade have issued these warnings and are requesting that letting agents, landlords and property owners contact them to ensure their fire safety procedures currently in place are adequate.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) came into force in October 2006. This stipulates that fire safety in almost all business, commercial and non domestic premises is the responsibility of the employer or owner of the building and a fire safety risk assessment should be undertaken.

Barry Waller, head of fire engineering at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: "We want to ensure the safety of everyone in our community and can offer help and advice to those who own properties which they rent out. We have already been contacting landlords, property owners and letting agents in the local area which we will continue to do."

A fire caused by serious breaches in fire safety regulations has resulted in a £17,000 fine and a warning issued to the owners.

In 2007 a fire broke out at Sollys Restaurant in Golders Green and fire crew members indentified nine breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order as well as staff members attempting to tackle the fire themselves, stopping to collect personal belongings or simply ‘running around in confusion’.

The fire destroyed the roof of the restaurant and required six fire engines and 30 fire fighters to control. During this time various hazards were discovered by the firefighters including a locked emergency exit, an absence of smoke and fire detection devices and obstructed escape routes.

The assistant commissioner for fire safety regulation said the lack of a clear fire plan could put peoples lifes at risk. “All premises owners and operators must make themselves aware of the regulations, to undertake a fire safety risk assessment, act upon its findings and put in place an emergency plan.”

The fire was found to be caused by the inadequate cleaning of the kitchen extract ventilation system.

A new public service fire safety ad created by digital media agency Wonky is due to be aired on TV very soon.

The ‘Plan a Safe Escape’ focuses on the importance of a fire safety escape plan and is part of the Communities and Local Government ‘Fire Kills’ initiative. ‘Fire kills’ have been responsible for a number of thought provoking fire safety campaigns including the most recent Julie Walters fronted ‘Pull Your Finger Out’.

This ‘Plan a Safe Escape’ is a departure from the traditional style formerly used by these adds and instead incorporates animated sequences. The 30 second film describes how to plan a safe escape in the case of a fire, planning, having an alternative fire escape route, ensuring exits are kept clear and having keys always to hand. The narrator is Shameless actor Sean Gilder.

Interestingly, further animation work by Wonky will used in an online viral fire safety game called Fire Kills Challenge.

The managing agents of the Doncaster Frenchgate shopping centre have been found guilty of five counts of fire safety breaches, and have been ordered to pay over £25,000 in legal costs.

The South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service first visited the shopping centre last June, and were concerned about the fire precautions controlled by the centres fire safety management team. Subsequent visits to the centre raised “significant concerns” about the adequacy of the staffs fire safety training as well as the suitability of the fire safety risk assessment for the premises which ultimately led to the enforcement notice and prosecution.

The managing agents were found guilty for failing to:

1. Take adequate general fire safety precautions
2. Make a suitable and sufficient fire safety assessment
3. Give effect to appropriate preventative and protect measures
4. Appoint adequately trained competent persons to undertake preventative and protective measures
5. Provide adequate fire safety training for staff

In response to the hearing the managing agents said “Whilst we accept the findings of South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority, these issues were addressed almost a year ago during a period of change between the previous owners and the current owners. Once these matters were identified by the fire authority, immediate action was taken to resolve the issues and the Notice was subsequently withdrawn. All issues identified have been resolved.

"We continue to work closely with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority in partnership to ensure a safe environment for our customers. At no time during this period were lives at risk.

Youngsters in Sunderland were recently honoured for their fire safety knowledge after successfully completing an innovative course which combined fire safety awareness and football training.

The “hot shots” programme is formed by a partnership with the Fire and Rescue service and Sunderland Association Football Club. It is a five week course where attendees learn how to prevent a fire from starting and what to do in the event of a fire, interspersed with football training.

The 20 members of the Young Asian Voices were presented with their certificates at a special ceremony and were treated to a guided tour of the Stadium of Light.

Community safety office Mehrban Sadiq from Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service organised the event and said “We have combined fire safety awareness training with football to make learning more interesting and fun. We hope this will lead to greater understanding of what the Fire and Rescue Service does and an improved awareness of the dangers of fire.”

An independent report published today has said that more lives have been saved and fires prevented thanks to firefighters carrying out Home Fire Safety Checks.

During the Home Fire Safety Check campaign the firefighters would visit a persons home to discuss fire safety and to raise their awareness of any potential risks. For example, asking them about cooking habits, candle use, how they would escape in the event of a fire, if they know where their window locks are etc.

The firefighters check that electrical sockets are not overloaded, they also check to see if the home has a working smoke alarm and fit one free of charge if required.

The report features examples of innovative work by Cheshire, Cleveland, Greater Manchester, Kent, Merseyside, Nottingham and South Yorkshire FRS. The work often involves joining up with other agencies such as Age Concern, the local health service, supermarkets and youth services.

The fire prevention has been successful in not only reducing loss of life and injuries but also shows an economic benefit - reducing loss of buildings, contents and disruption to normal life - estimated at between £926 million and £1,943 million.

Primary school pupils received important lessons in fire safety recently in a format specifically designed to be fun yet serious.

A team of firefighters from the Manningtree Fire and Rescue Service taught the 7 to 9 years olds the importance of fire alarms and were given advice on what to do if a fire was to start in their home.

They were also told of the importance of having a fire safety plan so if they were involved in a fire they would know what to do.

A spokesman for the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said “working with children is an important part of the preventative work we do. It is vital that children learn about fire safety as young as possible, they can also take important lessons home to their parents.”

A new fire safety check has been initiated in North Somerset after a multiple sclerosis sufferer died when his bed caught fire.

With the help of the Social Services, Avon Fire and Rescue Service are planning to identify disabled people who live at home and may be at significant risk in the event of a fire. It is also planned that social housing residents will receive fire safety checks as part of the social housing premises inspection program.

Disabled people identified as a risk will have their details added to the fire service records so that if a fire is reported at their home, fire fighting crews will automatically be alerted to a bedridden patient at that address. While the fire service is on their way to a vulnerable persons property, they will also be given information as to the best way to access the property and the presence of oxygen cylinders.

Fire authority member and North Somerset Councillor Tim Marter said “Both of these activities are unique to our district. This is pioneering action and I think the community fire safety activities are fundamental in the potential saving of lives”

According to new figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the cost of fire damage in the UK rose by 16% last year to a record £1.3 billion.

Commercial fire damage cost £865m up 15% on the previous year, school fires alone cost £33m and fire damage to homes cost £408m, up 17% from the previous year.

There has been a particular increase in what are termed large loss fires (those over £500,000) and the ABI intend to research the causes of this increase although fraudulent arson and arson will generally be factors to consider.

Nick Starling, the ABI’s director of general insurance and wealth said “These are alarming figures, they highlight both the importance of fire insurance and reducing and managing the fire risk”.

Yorkshire region landlords are to receive a special briefing on fire safety in tenanted property. The half day seminar is part of a national campaign by the Residential Landlords Association to step up fire safety standards and reduce the risks of fires starting.

This follows the fire safety quidelines publication released last year produced by three official bodies representing local authorities, environmental health professionals and chief fire officers. The guidelines, which became a milestone for fire safety enforcement in residential accommodation, closely followed various major changes in legislation governing the private rented sector.