The spouse of a British man who tragically lost his life in a fire incident while receiving a massage at an upscale spa is taking legal action against the management of a Moroccan hotel where the incident occurred.
Anthony Barnes passed away in March 2023 during his stay at the prestigious Jaal Ryad Resort Hotel in Marrakech. Barnes, hailing from Cambridgeshire, was on a business trip with colleagues when the unfortunate incident took place at the age of 48. A hotel staff member also lost their life in the fire.
His widow, Rachel Barnes, is seeking over £500,000 in damages from Hotel Des Idrissides, operating under the name Jaal Ryad, alleging that the fire resulted from the company’s negligence. The hotel firm refutes the claims, asserting that Barnes’ demise was not a result of any negligence on their part. The legal proceedings for the claim are pending.
According to court documents presented by Mrs. Barnes’ legal representative, Matthew Chapman KC, Mr. Barnes was undergoing a massage treatment when the hotel staff noticed the fire outbreak.
The attorney highlighted that a UK inquest concluded last October that Barnes’ death was accidental, attributing it to the spa being engulfed in thick, acrid smoke that impeded rescue efforts.
Chapman argued that the company is accountable to Mrs. Barnes for the improper management of the hotel and spa facilities, exposing Mr. Barnes to foreseeable risks of harm and death.
The legal counsel pointed out various lapses by the company, including the absence of fire and smoke alarms, inadequate communication about the fire, malfunctioning CCTV cameras, and delayed notification of emergency services. Additionally, he criticized the spa’s construction materials for lacking fire-resistant properties and the insufficient provision of fire extinguishers.
The barrister emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the incident clearly indicate negligence, stating that such accidents are preventable with proper facility design, construction, and maintenance.
Alistair Mackenzie, representing Hotel Des Idrissides, countered the allegations, stating that the fire originated in the sauna and that the hotel staff promptly responded by alerting guests and attempting evacuation, including Mr. Barnes.
Mackenzie defended the hotel’s compliance with Moroccan regulations for such facilities, denying any negligence or breach of duty leading to the fire or Barnes’ death. He mentioned that while smoke alarms were not installed in the specific room Barnes was in due to humidity concerns, they were present in adjacent areas. The hotel also had an adequate alarm system, emergency lighting, appropriate construction materials, functional CCTV cameras, and multiple fire extinguishers.
The attorney argued that the claim lacked specific details on how the alleged acts or omissions directly caused Mr. Barnes’ demise, emphasizing the need for clarity in the legal proceedings.
