C Watkins Plumbing Limited has been fined £20,000 after welding sparks caused a major fire on a 14-storey building in Surrey. The HSE discovered the firm had no risk assessment or permit to work in place for the hot works.

By Sarah Donnelly · Published 6 November 2026 · 2 min read

A plumbing contractor has been fined £20,000 after four workers were forced to flee a rapidly spreading fire on the roof of a 14-storey apartment building in Surrey. Sparks from welding work ignited uncovered rigid foam insulation at the Old Telephone Exchange development in Staines-upon-Thames on 26 July 2024, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

Background

Four subcontractors were installing an air source heat pump for C Watkins Plumbing Limited when the fire broke out. The blaze spread across the entire roof space before burning itself out. An HSE investigation found the company failed to plan, manage and monitor the hot works. Despite having internal policies, the firm had no risk assessment or method statement in place, and no permit to work was issued.

Industry implications

C Watkins Plumbing Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £8,270 in costs at Staines Magistrates Court on 29 October 2026. The incident underscores the severe risks of uncontrolled hot works on high-rise construction sites, particularly near combustible insulation materials.

What contractors should do now

Principal contractors and subcontractors must strictly enforce permit-to-work systems for all hot works. Site managers must ensure risk assessments and method statements are completed and reviewed before any welding begins. Fire safety measures must be integrated into all stages of procurement and construction, aligning with HSG168 guidance.

Expert view

The failure to follow internal procedures is a critical red flag for regulatory inspectors. HSE inspector Stephanie Hickford-Smith confirmed that the company ignored its own safety protocols. She said: "Watkins failed to follow its own procedures for hot works. It did not assess the risks and so had no control measures in place."

What happens next

Following high-profile regulatory changes under the Building Safety Act, the HSE and the Building Safety Regulator are heavily scrutinising fire risks on high-rise projects. Contractors undertaking hot works on tall buildings can expect zero tolerance for missing permits or inadequate risk assessments.

Sources