Corporation and Officer fined a total of $30,000 for Fire Code violations

HAMILTON, ON - The corporation of a four-storey, multi residential building with the addresses 120 Charles Street, 61 Hurst Place and 115-121 Park Street South pleaded guilty in Provincial Offences Court on June 18, 2021, for contravening the Ontario Fire Code.

The company’s officer, Rikesh Bhogal, pleaded guilty to all charges of failure to comply with an Inspection Order, dated November 11, 2016, and failure to replace window openings onto the fire escape with a closure having a 20-minute fire rating.

Pursuant to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1891253 Ontario Inc., received a $25,000 fine plus court costs, as well as a suspended sentence and Mr. Bhogal was fined $5,000 plus court costs and also received a suspended sentence.

If building owners have any questions regarding Ontario Fire Code requirements or any other fire safety matters, they are encouraged to contact the Hamilton Fire Department – Fire Prevention at 905 546-2424 ext. 1380, weekdays between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or can visit www.hamilton.ca/fire.

“All occupants should be provided with a safe means to escape.  The requirement to protect window openings onto a fire escape is designed to delay a fire from affecting the means of egress, which allows occupants the ability to evacuate safety in the event of an emergency.”

Peter deBoer, Chief Fire Prevention Officer