Three firms to face prosecution after city centre blaze

“The Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Services has decided to prosecute three companies for alleged health and safety offences.”

The Primark fire

Three companies will be prosecuted in the wake of the Primark fire; it appeared this evening.

The Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service confirmed the firms face prosecution for alleged health and safety offences.

It is understood, however, that the alleged offences do not concern the cause of the fire. Sources say the crimes are linked to the “alleged failure to safeguard employees” and the “alleged failure to ensure non-employees were not exposed to risk to their health or safety.”

The Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “The Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute three companies for alleged health and safety offences following a fire at the Primark building in Belfast city centre on 28th August 2018. The decisions follow careful consideration of all the available evidence in an investigation file sent by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland in June 2021.

“The prosecutions are about alleged health and safety failings discovered because of the investigation by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland following the fire.

“Proceedings will commence in due course.”

The fire at the trendy clothing retailer’s historic building in the city centre burned for three days after starting on August 28th, 2018. Several businesses nearby were affected as well as repairs to the building continued.