Developers fined for ‘deathtrap’ student block

Two developers in Manchester have had to pay more than £14,000 for risking the lives of their tenants in student accommodation described in court as a 'deathtrap.'
The two companies were found guilty of failing to meet safety standards as required by building regulations at their 55-flat housing development in Grafton Street, Ardwick, Manchester.
Council surveyors found serious breaches of fire safety regulations including a lack of self-closing fire doors and inadequate fire resisting walls. Windows required for smoke ventilation were completely obscured by scaffolding and rear fire escape routes passed through a building site.
The property would also have been difficult for the fire service to access.

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