September 30th 2011, will live long in the memories of all those who have for years condemned Peverel/Firstport's shoddy practices.
That night, a fire broke out at Gibson Court, Esher,Surrey which resulted in the tragic death of Irene Cockerton who had become trapped in her flat as flames from the fire raced through the loft area of the building.
Loft areas have fitted fire safety curtains, which if kept in good order are designed to hold back fire for up to 30 minutes, giving residents plenty of time to be evacuated safely.
At the coroners inquest into the death of Irene Cockerton it soon emerged that much was lacking in the Peverel/Firstport attitude to safety.
It soon became clear that the fire safety curtain had been badly damaged by contractors working in the loft area.
Graham Ralston, a buliding contractor noticed the damage and immediately reported his concerns to the then house manager, Marion De Beer who immediately reported it to her area manager for urgent action. Mr Ralston described the loft space as "a disaster full stop"
Repairs were carried out to the fire safety curtain by another contractor and invoiced for without anyone from Peverel/Firstport carrying out any proper checks. The offer by Mr Ralston to check the integrity of the loft fire safety curtains was declined.
Mr Barry Everitt, the Peverel/ Firstport National Technical Manager (whose previous conduct has been mired in controversy) informed the inquest that he had inspected photographs of the repairs. When challenged by the coroner he told the inquest that
"There was a gap there before, and afterwards there is no gap"
So leading up to the fire, the fire safety curtain had been reported as faulty, had been repaired but that repair had not been properly checked.
The significance of this is that any fault, such as a tear or a curtain not being properly affixed, means that any fire can simply jump the fire safety curtain.
Instead of the expected 30 minute retardation any fire could now spread across the whole loft area within minutes.
On the night of the fire the Surrey Fire Brigade were called out, but were hampered in their efforts by not being informed by Careline of another emergency call, which would have alerted the firemen that the fire had taken more hold than they expected.
Incredibly at the inquest Peverel/Firstport attempted to pass the blame for Irene Cockerton's death on the lack of action of the Surrey Fire Brigade, the very people who risk their lives to save others!
Shortly afterwards, and purely by coincidence Peverel/Firstport made a donation to a fire brigade charity.
Whilst it was put about in the media that the house manager Marion De Beer had made tea whilst a resident died, this was not true. As far as About Peverel is concerned through this whole tragic circumstances Miss De Beer has acted in a proper and professional manner that was deeply appreciated by residents.
The inquest concluded that the death of Irene Cockerton was by accident and Peverel/Firstport issued a statement of their "deep regret"
However it did not end there.
It won't have been published in the Life &Style Magazine, nor would you find it on the news section of the Firstport website, but Surrey Fire Brigade decided to prosecute Peverel/Firstport over their failings at Gibson Court.
On Friday 22nd July the case came before Guildford Court where Peverel/Firstport pleaded Guilty to four charges, including an offence of "causal link to death"
Sentencing is set to take place late in October
