Title: Why Fire Risk Assessments Are Critical — Lessons from the 2019 Morecambe Club Fire

Slug: morecambe-club-fire-fire-risk-assessment-lessons

Meta description (SEO): The 2019 Morecambe working men’s club fire led to deaths. A 2025 inquest and 2023 sentencing demonstrate the vital need for proper fire risk assessments under UK law.

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🔥 The 2019 Morecambe Club Tragedy — What Went Wrong

On 9 October 2019, a fire broke out at the Gordon Working Men’s Club in Morecambe. Investigations later revealed the blaze was triggered when a gas‑cylinder heater was ignited, causing a rapid “fireball” and dense smoke. Lancaster Guardian+1

Tragically, two men died — aged 60 and 70 — because when they attempted to escape, a fire exit was blocked by an external security door that was bolted shut, preventing safe evacuation. Lancaster Guardian+1

In November 2025, a jury returned a “narrative verdict,” concluding that the locked fire exit, use of inappropriate LPG heating, and the absence of a fire‑evacuation plan contributed to the deaths. Lancaster Guardian

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⚖️ 2023 Sentencing — Fire‑Safety Failures Held Criminally Accountable

In January 2023, the operators of the club — a mother and son — were convicted under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) for multiple serious fire‑safety breaches. AOL+1

• The mother was jailed for eight months after admitting 13 offences. AOL
• The son received a six‑month sentence (suspended for 12 months) plus 200 hours’ community service for six charges. AOL

Court testimony highlighted multiple failings: lack of functioning fire doors, ineffective alarms, unsafe heating using LPG cylinders, and blocked or locked escape routes.

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✅ Fire Risk Assessments: Legal Duty & Real‑World Benefits

📄 Legal Duty Under FSO

• Under the FSO, the “responsible person” (owner, employer, occupier, manager — anyone who controls premises) must carry out a “suitable and sufficient” fire risk assessment of the premises. Legislation.gov.uk+1
• The assessment must be regularly reviewed, especially if the building’s use, layout or occupancy changes. Legislation.gov.uk+1
• Since changes introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022, all Responsible Persons must record the full findings of fire risk assessments and fire‑safety arrangements — not just “significant findings”. GOV.UK+1

🔧 Practical Benefits of a Proper Assessment

A properly conducted fire risk assessment helps to:

• Identify hazards early — flammable materials, unsafe heating or electrical sources, poor exit routes, faulty fire doors, etc.
• Ensure safe escape routes and exits — maintaining unblocked, functioning fire‑exits, self‑closing doors, adequate signage and lighting.
• Improve safety systems — installing or maintaining fire alarms, detection systems, fire‑fighting equipment, emergency lighting, and evacuation plans.
• Reduce legal liability — compliance protects the “responsible person” from criminal prosecution, fines or imprisonment. As illustrated in the Morecambe case.
• Protect lives and property — reducing the risk of fire-related injury, death or damage, and preserving business continuity.

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🛠️ What Responsible Persons Should Do Now

If you manage, own or have control of any non‑domestic premises (pub, club, office, retail, etc.), you should:

1. Commission a fire risk assessment — either by yourself (if competent) or — preferably — by a qualified assessor.
2. Record the full findings and fire‑safety arrangements (mandatory under the latest rules).
3. Implement corrective actions — fix escape routes/doors, fire alarms, heating systems, storage for hazardous materials, evacuation planning, etc.
4. Review and update the assessment regularly — and after any changes in layout, occupancy, use — to ensure ongoing compliance.

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📰 Final Thoughts

The tragic 2019 fire at Gordon Working Men’s Club — and the 2023 convictions, followed by the 2025 inquest verdict — illustrate a grim reality: when fire‑safety procedures are ignored, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Don’t wait for tragedy to enforce compliance — act now.

A fire risk assessment is not just a piece of paperwork or an optional extra. For businesses, clubs or any public‑use premises, it is a legal duty, a moral imperative and a vital safeguard for human lives, property and reputation.