Man suffers burns after 'serious fire' at West Sussex takeaway - 'Business owners must be aware'

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said its officers are ‘keen to work with independent food premises’ looking to ‘improve the management of fire safety’.

It comes months after a ‘serious fire’ at a takeaway in Shoreham-by-Sea.

"The plea comes after firefighters from Shoreham, Worthing and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service responded to a fire on Upper Shoreham Road in Shoreham on December 26, 2023 which is believed to have been started accidentally in the kitchen,” a fire service spokesperson said.

"Crews from South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended the incident and treated a man for smoke inhalation and burns.”

Dave Bray, the fire service’s area manager for protection, said 25 per cent of businesses never re-open following a serious fire, and there are a ‘large number of fire risks’ in restaurants, fast food outlets and takeaways that business owners ‘must be aware of’.

He added: “These risks increase significantly where there is also sleeping accommodation provided within the building.

“Not only do these fires ruin livelihoods, as seen at the fire in Shoreham, they can also cause injuries.

"We are keen to work with independent takeaways and fast-food outlets to ensure that they, their employees, customers and their local communities are protected from fire and kept as safe as possible.

“We have lots of fire safety information for businesses on our website, including an interactive Business Fire Safety Awareness Tool, as well as contact details for our Fire Safety team should anyone responsible for adhering to fire safety legislation wish to get in touch with us directly.”

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service also offers a range of fire safety training courses for those in control of businesses or non-domestic premises to book onto, and fire extinguisher servicing.

A spokesperson added: “Using the expert knowledge of our trainers, most of whom are serving operational firefighters, attendees will receive expert fire safety training that can be tailor-made to suit individual businesses.”