A CATEGORICAL disaster is how the boss of a York night club described its lack of fire safety provisions. York Crown Court has been told that in 2013 Aaron Mellor's Tokyo club had faulty smoke detectors, bottle crates blocking an emergency exit and fire doors that didn't work. Things were so bad inspectors say they would have used an immediate prohibition order had Mellor not agreed to voluntarily close it down.

It is beyond belief that someone could so flagrantly disregard their responsibilities in this way. By law premises and any fire safety facilities, equipment and devices must be maintained in good order. But that is only half the story, because what could have happened inside this club doesn't bear thinking about.

Mellor says he has learned his lesson. Thankfully it isn't the one where he wishes something had been done before a life was lost.