One in 20 businesses 'unsafe', says fire service

Freedom of Information requests about the number of enforcement notices issued by Fire Authorities revealed that hotels and guesthouses accounted for almost one third of businesses that had been warned they were not sufficiently protected against the risk of fire.

Over 1,200 hotels and bed & breakfasts were found to be in breach of fire safety regulations introduced in October 2006.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, Julia Goldsworthy said: "These are some very worrying results. Far too few businesses, including hotels and B&Bs, are complying with the new fire safety regulations.

"Employees and customers are being put at risk because firms are not receiving enough support to ensure they are protected from the risk of fires."