FIRE chiefs are to crack down on pubs and clubs which risk lives by not meeting fire regulations.

The county's chief fire officer Peter Holland warned they will be taken to court if they flout safety rules, after the prosecution of the owner of a pub.

Dennis Brunt, managing director of CTD Leisure Manage-ment was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay £1,750 costs after a blaze at the Royal Hotel, Bacup Road, Waterfoot.

Brunt, whose firm used to be responsible for the pub, admitted six offences at Reedley Magistrates Court.

Eight people, including a mother and baby were rescued in the early hours of March 6 last year. The building's fire alarm was faulty.

Mr Holland said: "This prosecution should send a clear message that the owner of businesses must be fully aware of their responsibilities with regard to fire safety and must have implemented measures necessary to keep staff and customers safe."

Mr Brunt admitted a string of offences: not carrying out a fire safety risk assessment; failure to provide clear exit routes; failure to maintain an adequate fire detection and alarm system; failure to protect means of escape by not installing self-closing doors; failure to have a self-closing device on the door to the laundry; not training staff in fire safety.

Rossendale Councillor and member of Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, Coun Jimmy Eaton, praised Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for the prosecution.

He added: "This was a major fire. The person responsible might well have been facing charges related to loss of life."

A spokesman for Rossendale Council's licensing department said the firm was no longer responsible for the Royal Hotel.

Mr Brunt was unavailable for comment.