The owner of the large tower block in Speedwell that caught fire on New Year's Eve and then again in May has been charged with seven offences relating to fire safety.
Wayne Braund, 51, faced the charges and elected for trial by jury when he appeared before magistrates in Bristol earlier this month, Bristol Live can reveal.
Braund, of Filgrove Lane in Bitton, near Bristol, is facing seven charges in a case being brought by Avon Fire and Rescue Authority.
All seven alleged offences are listed as taking place ‘on or before’ December 31, 2018, and relate to offences alleged to have been committed in the run-up to the fire at the Strachan and Henshaw Building on New Year's Eve.
The first charge is that Braund failed to ensure proper fire risk assessments were carried out at the building listed as the Former Strachan and Henshaw Building at Deep Pit Road in Speedwell.
The second charge is that Braund failed to ensure there were ‘appropriate fire detectors and alarms to safeguard the safety of relevant persons in the event of fire.’
The third charge is that Braund failure to ensure that ‘there was appropriate firefighting equipment’ at the Strachan and Henshaw Building.
The fourth charge is that Braund failed to ensure there were proper fire escapes, exits and emergency routes.
The fifth charge is that Braund failed to ‘ensure it was possible for persons to evacuate the premises quickly and as safely as possible’.
The sixth charge is that Braund failed to ensure fire safety facilities, equipment and devices were properly maintained, and finally, the seventh charge is that Braund failed to ensure emergency lighting was maintained.
When he appeared before magistrates on October 10, Braund elected for trial by jury, and his case was sent to Bristol Crown Court, initially for a date in early November.
The fire on New Year's Eve was serious, and caused an evacuation of the building and a major response by Avon Fire and Rescue Service.
But the building was gutted by a much bigger blaze on May 3, which caused a long-lasting a major impact on local residents, with homes evacuated for weeks and roads closed.
The owners of various businesses based in the tower block later told Bristol Live how they lost everything in the fire.
Since the fires, Bristol City Council has granted planning permission for the building to be turned into flats.
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