Abandoned Cornwall Petrol Station Owners Fined £26,790: “Disregard for Public Safety”

Scrapyard on Former Forecourt Sparks Fire Safety Investigation

Three business owners have been ordered to pay a combined £26,790 in fines and court costs after failing to provide safety information about a former petrol station near Camelford.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service carried out an inspection of Hallworthy Petrol Filling Station in July 2023. They found the site was no longer selling fuel and the forecourt was being used as a makeshift scrapyard.

When a petrol station stops operating, the law requires that steps are taken to make the site safe — particularly to avoid the risk of explosion or environmental harm.

No Safety Records Supplied

Inspecting officers were unable to confirm whether the site had been properly secured under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002, or whether a suitable risk assessment had been carried out under Article 9 of the Fire Safety Order.

Multiple attempts were made to contact the registered business owners — Jeyapratha Kawasihan, Sobrika Kirupaharan and Yalini Inbaruban — but none responded or provided the necessary information.

It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with requirements imposed by inspectors under Article 27 of the Fire Safety Order, without reasonable excuse.

Court Hearings and Penalties

On 11th March 2025, at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court, the three were prosecuted for not providing information that could help with investigations into the safety of the petrol tanks, associated equipment, and who controlled the site.

Sobrika and Yalini, who did not attend court, were found guilty and each fined £9,000 with an additional £930 in court costs.

Jeyapratha pleaded guilty and received a £6,000 fine plus £930 in costs. The court ordered that all fines and costs be paid in full within 28 days.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Responds

Graham Hughes, Protection Manager for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“Business owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their premises are safe. These individuals have failed to cooperate and have shown a disregard for the safety of their local community.

“Prosecution is always a last resort but if people fail to comply with regulatory requirements, become obstructive or when a potential serious risk to public safety is identified, we will not hesitate to take action.”

Business owners can learn more about their legal fire safety responsibilities on the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Business Fire Safety website.