legislation following a prosecution brought against them by the London
Fire Brigade.
Mountain of Fire and Miracles International have been ordered to pay
£30,000 in costs and fines after pleading guilty to three breaches of
the Regulatory (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Woolwich Crown Court on
24th July 2009.
A prohibition notice was issued to the church in June 2007 restricting
the number of visitors to 600 on the ground floor of its premises at
Crabtree Manorway South in Erith.
However, the fire brigade undertook an inspection of the premises in
January 2008 and found there to be 1,200 people in the main hall
during a service. One of the fire exits was blocked by a steel bar
with another adjoining fire exit was chained and locked.
The inspection also found that there was an increased risk of an
explosive and fast spreading fire due to the disorganised storage of
18 LPG and butane bottles and the use of naked flame heaters inside
the main hall.
Assistant commissioner for fire safety regulation, Steve Turek, said:
"It is regrettable that we had to bring this action against a
charitable church organisation but there were significant fire safety
failures."
"These offences presented a real risk of injury to the congregation
who are our main concern. Church groups and others which organise
large gatherings need to make sure their premises are fit for purpose
and that they take their responsibility very seriously to ensure the
safety to visitors."
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