Elder Healthcare fined £46,000 following fatal fire

A healthcare provider has been fined £46,000 for a health and safety breach following a fatal fire in 2019.

Elder Healthcare pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974  [an Act of the UK Parliament] as applied in the Isle of Man by an Act of Tynwald.

The charge arose following an investigation into a fire at a property in Fuschia Lane in Douglas in late 2019.

As a result - 96-year-old resident, Olive Muriel Renecle died in the fire in a flat she privately rented.

In Court, Deemster Cook confirmed there was no medical evidence to suggest the actions of the defendant caused the death of Mrs Renecle. 

It was deemed the most likely cause of the fire was an electric heater which had been left on.

It was acknowledged the defendant had carried out fire risk assessments and fire training in general, but there were shortcomings. 

The director of Elder Healthcare has again express their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.