SWINGERS’ CLUB A FIRE RISK
Only escape route from Vivente was front door
The proprietor of a Sunderland swingers’ club has admitted fire safety breaches so serious they could have led to a “substantial loss of life”.
As many as 60 people could be inside the premises at Vivente at any given time, when on April 22, 2015, a fire service safety audit was carried out, Sunderland magistrates heard.
The front door and only escape route were locked, with the key held by club boss Katherine High, and the back door was rollershuttered.
People were allowed to smoke inside the premises and there were candles, flammable wall coverings and equipment posing fire risks.
Jim Wotherspoon, prosecuting on behalf of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “There were a number of people on the premises and they were all told to leave because of safety concerns.
“The only accessible door to the premises was from Hudson Road.
“The basement contained various items for the use of members of the club.”
Mr Wotherspoon said the basement contained candles and ignition sources and had no means of escape. “The dangers of premises in he basement were aggravated by the presence of equipment in that area and the potential risk of people using that equipment,” he added.
“There was no fire detection to warn in the event of fire. There was an alarm panel, but the alarm wasn’t able to operate in any event.
“If switched on, the alarm would sound constantly, so it was switched off.
“Miss High admitted that she had not carried out a fire risk assessment and said so in her interview. She said ‘it’s just something that I didn’t think about doing’.
Mr Wotherspoon said there were 16 people inside at the time and added that the premises were unfinished.
He said: “The rooms had specialist coverings on the walls to add some specific ambience, for want of a better word, which would have assisted in the spread of fire.” An investigation into the breaches cost the fire authority £9,663, the court heard.
Mr Wotherspoon added: “She is just naive, not fully aware of the implications of this, which could have been extremely serious.
“If she had been before the court after a fire and substantial loss of life, your worships would not be dealing with it, but that is the level of risk we are talking about in this matter.”
High, of Archer Road, Farringdon, admitted five counts of failing to comply with Article 8 to 22 and 38 requirements or prohibitions, where failure risks death and serious injury in case of fire, under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.