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02/01/2013
Judge Rules Alarm Firm Responsible For Pier Fire
A judge has ruled that an alarm company is to blame for a fire which devastated Weston-super-Mare's pier pavilion in July 2008.
The judge at Bristol Mercantile Court found a high degree of negligence from security firm System 2 Security, which has since gone into administration,
The pier's owners Kerry and Michelle Michael have been awarded a £30m interim payment, and the pier was rebuilt and reopened in October 2010.
Mr Michael said he was pleased with what he called the complete vindication of Grand Pier Limited, its directors and staff but added he was determined to pursue those responsible.
"There can be no doubt where the blame lies. It has cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds to pursue this judgement and we did so knowing that System 2 Security Limited was just a shell of a company with little or no assets so we had little chance of seeing any compensation from them.
"They were clearly responsible for what happened yet they continued to deny any liability until the court case was upon them when they put the company into administration."
(H/GK)
The judge at Bristol Mercantile Court found a high degree of negligence from security firm System 2 Security, which has since gone into administration,
The pier's owners Kerry and Michelle Michael have been awarded a £30m interim payment, and the pier was rebuilt and reopened in October 2010.
Mr Michael said he was pleased with what he called the complete vindication of Grand Pier Limited, its directors and staff but added he was determined to pursue those responsible.
"There can be no doubt where the blame lies. It has cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds to pursue this judgement and we did so knowing that System 2 Security Limited was just a shell of a company with little or no assets so we had little chance of seeing any compensation from them.
"They were clearly responsible for what happened yet they continued to deny any liability until the court case was upon them when they put the company into administration."
(H/GK)
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