A number of defects in the systems of working at a luxury hotel contributed to a fire which claimed the lives of two guests, an inquiry has found.
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… recommendations….[incl.] up-to-date procedures….a requirement for sprinkler systems…
BBC News writes:
[Guests] died in the blaze at Cameron House on the banks of Loch Lomond in December 2017… A fatal accident inquiry was held last year to establish if lessons could be learned from the tragedy.
Sheriff Thomas McCartney has made a series of recommendations…..
In his 122-page findings, Sheriff McCartney said there were precautions which could realistically have avoided the fire breaking out at the five-star hotel near Balloch…
… Sheriff McCartney also said there were “a number of defects in systems of working which contributed to the accident resulting in the deaths”.
These included:
- the “careless” disposal of ash in “unsuitable receptacles and areas”
- the lack of a coherent system to empty ash bins in the service area when they became full
- the “presence of combustibles” within the concierge cupboard.
The sheriff made six recommendations in his report, which included the need for hotels to have up-to-date procedures in place to ensure that ash from open fires is removed and disposed of safely.
He said the Scottish government should consider introducing a requirement for sprinkler systems to be installed when historic buildings are converted to hotels.
And he said there should be “robust arrangements” to ensure that everyone is accounted for in the event of evacuation, and that all staff have experience of evacuation drills…
