Burgess Hill restaurant owner ordered to pay thousands following fire
The 50-year-old admitted to breaching fire safety regulations
Last updated 11th Mar 2025
A company director has been ordered to pay more than £9,000 following a fire which seriously damaged a Chinese takeaway restaurant in Burgess Hill.
50-year-old Yuting Zhao pleaded guilty to breaching fire safety rules in collection with the blaze at the Dragon and Peacock in Church Road in September 2023.
The fire, which was caused by a faulty electrical supply, led to four people having to be led to safety by firefighters.
No-one was injured but the rear of the building suffered serious damage.
A hearing at Crawley Magistrates' Court last Thursday (March 6th) heard that Zhuo’s failings had led to an increased risk of death and serious injury to those residing at the premises.
It was also unanimously agreed that those inside the building were lucky a member of the public notified West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service of the incident, and very lucky that the service acted so swiftly.
Ms Zhuo was successfully prosecuted by West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service for breaching six charges brought to the courtroom under the Fire Safety Order.
She was ordered to pay a total of £9157.37, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.
Area Manager Dave Bray, Head of Fire Safety for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said:
"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this case and believe it serves as a strong reminder to business owners – particularly where sleeping accommodation is provided above the commercial premises - that they must ensure those people are able to be alerted to the presence of fire, and have suitable escape routes to safely and quickly evacuate the building.
"It is only through luck that this fire did not consequences far more sinister.
"Duty holders are reminded that the Fire Safety Order is in place to protect life in the event of a fire.
"As such, the highest sanctions possible will be sought where these failings endanger the lives of residents and visitors to West Sussex."