JTF Wholesale of Newark, Nottinghamshire, which describes itself as a no-frills warehouse selling the latest branded goods at rock-bottom prices direct to the public, was fined GB pound 19,000, plus GB pound 3,899 in costs, by Leeds Magistrates after it pleaded guilty to exposing members of the public and employees to serious risk of injury, contrary to the Manufacture and Storage of Explosive Regulations 2005.
The maximum amount of Hazard Type 4 explosives the firm was allowed to store under the Regulations is 250kg. JTF had been storing more than seven times this amount in its Leeds premises without taking any suitable safety precautions to prevent fire or explosion.
Dave Walton, assistant chief fire officer of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), which brought the prosecution, told the Nottingham Post:
With the firework season almost upon us, I hope this acts as a warning to those individuals who may consider illegally storing fireworks for a short-term financial gain.
It will also act as a stark reminder to those who have the correct registration and licence to store fireworks, to do so in a safe manner and within the law.
The vast amount of explosives stored at JTF meant that there was a significant likelihood of a serious incident which would have had the potential for serious injuries or loss of life to employees, members of the public or firefighters.
A visit to the firm’s premises in November 2012 by officers from West Yorkshire FRS sparked an investigation into the illegal storage, which culminated in prosecution for serious safety failings. West Yorkshire FRS also found that:
In addition, JTF breached Articles 15 1(a) and 9(1) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 by failing to provide the relevant information to allow West Yorkshire FRS to prepare response procedures, as well as failing to carry out a suitable risk assessment to identify fire hazards.
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in Canada we have the same problems as my Co. trying to cut corners but forgeting they risking human lifes… in the game of greed…
I often worry about all the dodgy little shops that pop up at this time of year selling cheap fireworks, I would bet there are no fire suppression systems in place, accidents just waiting to happen……
I agree with you entirely and only time will tell there are serious accident waiting to be seen
Couldn’t agree more. While not being able to judge, you inevitably worry that the pop up shops are at greater risk than a properly fitted store. And by only being up for say 4 weeks, fire authorities are unlikely to be able to inspect them before they disappear again.
You’re right, Holmes. This is extremely worrying. Not only are they risking their lives in the process, but also the lives of people around them and those who just happen to be in the area. I support more stringent crackdowns on similar cases.
There’s an easy solution here. Don’t buy fireworks. Why do you need them, really? Go to a professional display. It’s usually free (or at worst very cheap), it’s safe, and it’s 1,000 times better than the poxy rocket you’ll spend £50 on and put yourself and your family at danger with.
These are all very serious violations by JTF. Too many fireworks, no appropriate measures for the prevention of fire or explosion, and absence of safe storage method of fireworks are all condemnable violations but they are all inter-connected. One follows the other with absence of proper method for safe storage of fireworks being the mother of all these crimes.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service should be applauded for this good and exemplary act which shows that they are awake to the public safety issues. I would say Magistrate did well as well by fining JTF handsomely to make it an example for other people who risk people’s lives for petty money.
Pretty wild story, isn’t it? I wonder if the fire service were tipped off by the public, or if it was a spot check?
who cares