A company and its director have been fined for fire safety breaches following a fire at a Hastings property, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) said.

The fire service said it successfully prosecuted Gareth Reed and his company, Riverstone-Abbey Estate Agents Limited, for offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“the Order”).

An ESFRS spokesperson said: "At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on October 12, Mr Reed was fined £12,500 and ordered to pay a £2,000 statutory victim surcharge.

“His company was fined £7,500. Mr Reed was also ordered to pay £2,525.31 to ESFRS towards the costs of the investigation.

A company and its director have been fined following a Hastings fire, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said

placeholder image — A company and its director have been fined following a Hastings fire, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said

“The prosecution follows a fire in Hughenden Road, Hastings, on May 15, 2025, at a property managed by Mr Reed and his company at that time.

“Three people suffered smoke inhalation after residents became trapped inside the premises as smoke filled the common areas and obstructed their escape.

“Following the fire, ESFRS Fire Safety Inspecting Officers attended the premises and identified significant fire safety deficiencies, including a fire detector that did not appear to be secured in its intended position on the kitchen ceiling, doors that were not fire-resisting and were not fitted with self-closing devices, and a lack of evidence that residents had been provided with information about what to do in the event of a fire.

“The court heard that Mr Reed, the sole director of Riverstone-Abbey Estate Agents Limited, failed, without reasonable excuse, to provide the documents and information required.”

Jake Kaye, station manager (legal and enforcement) said: “Effective fire safety management is essential to reduce the likelihood of fire and to ensure that, should a fire occur, it can be detected quickly and occupants can escape safely.

“This case also highlights the importance of responding to official correspondence. Ignoring a letter or failing to respond to a lawful request for information is not a way to avoid scrutiny; it can lead to further enforcement action and prosecution.

“We hope this prosecution and the penalties imposed by the court serve as a clear reminder that fire safety responsibilities must be taken seriously, and that lawful requests from authorised inspectors must be dealt with promptly.”

George O’Reilly, assistant director of risk reduction, said: “Official correspondence from ESFRS must not be ignored. We will always seek to work constructively with businesses and responsible persons to help them understand and meet their fire safety responsibilities.

“However, this does not remove the obligation to cooperate with authorised inspectors and comply with lawful requirements made during an investigation.

“ESFRS has a statutory duty to enforce the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and we take that responsibility seriously. Where failures to comply with fire safety legislation occur, we will consider proportionate enforcement action. This prosecution demonstrates that we will use the powers available to us where necessary to uphold fire safety standards and protect the public.”