Landlord jailed over 'avoidable' flat fire death
The fire in which Mr Sheridan died started in the cooker
At a glance
A landlord has been jailed after his tenant died in a flat fire Leeds
Humrazz Shahid was sentenced after he admitted breaking health and safety laws
Police said Philip Sheridan's death was "entirely avoidable"
His basement flat was not fit for human habitation, Leeds Crown Court heard
- Published
The landlord of a Leeds flat where a fire resulted in the death of a man has been jailed for breaching health and safety regulations.
Philip Sheridan, 32, died of injuries suffered in the blaze in the unofficially converted basement in Berkeley Grove, Harehills.
Landlord Humrazz Shahid was jailed for 13 months at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday.
The court was told the fire service and council concluded the flat was unsuitable for human habitation, due in part to inadequate fire detection and escape measures.
Shahid, 43, of Oakwood Lane, Leeds, was jailed after he admitted an offence of failing to discharge a duty owed under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Det Supt Marc Bowes, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "The death of Philip Sheridan in these circumstances was an absolute tragedy, but one that was entirely avoidable had Shahid taken his responsibilities to ensure a safe living environment seriously.
"We hope that seeing Shahid held accountable for his flagrant breach of the regulations will serve as a clear reminder to other landlords and property managers who fail to meet their legal obligations to put the safety of their tenants first."
The court was told the fire broke out on 26 June 2019 and Mr Sheridan died on 6 July 2019 as a result of complications arising from severe smoke inhalation.
The basement only had one entrance through an inward-opening door that did not have a proper handle on it. There were no smoke or fire alarms fitted in the property.
The door was also partially blocked by the cooker, which was the source of the fire.
Mr Sheridan managed to escape from the burning property, but suffered burns to the back of his head, upper torso, neck and arms, which were consistent with him having to lean back over the cooker which was on fire, West Yorkshire Police said.
He collapsed on the pavement outside the address and was transferred to hospital where he remained until his death.
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