A sheriff has condemned a farmer’s “complete disregard for safety” in a damning report into the death of a migrant worker in a caravan fire in Angus.
Sheriff Fiona Tait presided over a fatal accident inquiry which investigated the circumstances of the death of Czech migrant worker Petr Adamik, who died at Birkhill Farm, outside Arbroath, on April 2 2007.
She found that farm owner Frank Hendry’s lax electrical safety arrangements and failure to adhere to standards relating to smoke alarms and distance between caravans were “reasonable precautions” that could have prevented Mr Adamik’s death.
Sheriff Tait determined that the fire had started in an old household refrigerator contained in a junction box that had been placed outside.
The electrical arrangement, which an HSE inspector described as “unique”, had been carried out by electrician Alexander Longmuir, who died shortly after the fatal fire and had been unable to give any statement.
However, Sheriff Tait said some responsibility also fell on to Mr Hendry, who she said showed “disinterest and carelessness” towards electrical safety.
“Mr Hendry’s evidence was a portrayal variously of ignorance of all things electrical, reliance upon a skilled tradesman and bewilderment at both the inadequacy of the installation by Mr Longmuir and its adaptation by the residents of the caravan site,” she wrote in her 60-page determination.
“He claimed ignorance that the caravan residents were using electricity in caravans beyond hairdryers and radios.”
“My first impression was that the foregoing evidence of Mr Hendry was incredible and fell to be rejected. However, I came to the conclusion that his evidence was indicative of a disinterest and carelessness as to what was taking place on site.
“Such disinterest and carelessness related to the electrical installation, to its inspection and maintenance and to its use and adaptation by the residents.”
Mr Hendry also failed to ensure that caravans should be at least six metres apart from each other on his unlicensed site.
Paramedics discovered Mr Adamik collapsed outside his caravan, with burns to the majority of his body, at 2am. He was taken to Ninewells Hospital and pronounced dead at 11.30am. Robin Sejval, who had been staying in Mr Adamik’s caravan, escaped the blaze and raised the alarm.
Mr Hendry was unavailable for comment.