The former owner of a hotel establishment in Huntsville and the principal of that company have each been charged and convicted on 10 counts of fire code violations under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
The charges stem from an inspection on Jan. 7, 2013, where an unprecedented number of contraventions of the Ontario Fire Code were observed the most serious being the failure to maintain smoke alarms and the fire alarm system.
Other charges include failure to maintain exits, failure to maintain fire extinguishers, failure to maintain emergency lighting and failure to maintain fire separations. The company and individual were also convicted of other charges for the lack of maintenance to life safety systems.
The company was fined a total of $50,000 and the individual was fined $25,000. The hotel has since been brought up to compliance with the Ontario Fire Code.
“It is the responsibility of the owner to maintain fire safety systems put in place to protect the lives of the occupants,” said Fire Chief Stephen Hernen. “The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department will continue to work with residents and building owners to ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities. Failure to ensure fire safety has significant negative impact.”
Under the Ontario Fire Code, the court can impose fines up to $100,000 per infraction and up to a year in jail for any corporation found to be in contravention of the act. Fines for an individual can be as high as $50,000 per count and can also result in a one-year jail sentence.
Source: Cottage Country Now
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