Mark Watson KC and David Hercock successfully represent roofing company in Beechmere fire case

Mark Watson KC and David Hercock have secured the acquittal of their client, MAC (Roofing & Contracting) Ltd, in relation to all charges arising from the catastrophic fire at Beechmere retirement village in Crewe on 8 August 2019.

MAC had been carrying out roofing repairs involving hot works with a blowtorch to a flat roof at Beechmere when a fire rapidly engulfed the block of flats, which was home to approximately 150 residents.  The incident was one of the largest ever residential fires to confront the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

After extensive and complex legal argument at pre-trial hearings in 2024, Mark and David successfully argued that the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which underpinned each of the nine charges brought against MAC, did not apply where a contractor was carrying out a work process involving flammable gas apparatus.

The successful outcome of the case for Mark and David’s client can now be reported following the conclusion of the remaining trial proceedings in respect of the other defendants, which has recently been reported in the national press. Click here to view the article.

Mark and David were instructed by Robert Lloyd and Tom Hunt at Caytons.