A Plaid Cymru Senedd Member has called on the Labour Government to ensure that venues are as safe as possible in the wake of the catastrophic fire at a Swiss ski resort.
Peredur Owen Griffiths said there could be no complacency about fire safety standards in Wales after the New Year’s Eve disaster in the alps that claimed 40 lives and injured many more.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, Peredur said: “Joyous new year’s celebrations quickly turned into absolute horror when a fire broke out at a bar in the Crans-Montana resort.
“Forty lives were lost, 116 others were injured, and 83 of those are currently being treated for severe burns.
“We can't be complacent that something like this couldn't, potentially, happen in Wales.”
He added: “A part-time member of my staff, with over 40 years' experience in the fire safety sector and the owner of a fire safety company, believes it's questionable whether all premises in Wales have been established, managed and maintained to provide a safe environment.
“This is particularly the case for events at venues that are occasionally used for such events.
“There is a case to be made that a regime of during performance inspections should be reintroduced to provide enhanced safety. Is this something that you would consider?
“And has your Government considered fire safety in the wake of the Swiss Alps tragedy?”
In response, First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Businesses here are subject to stringent regulation, but I take your point that if there's a temporary situation then perhaps we need to make sure that that happens.
“I will ask officials to make sure that we look again at the situation in Wales if anything comes out of the findings of that fire in Switzerland.”