Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) lodged an application to suspend The Bog Irish Bar’s licence after an inspector discovered two of the pub’s three fire exits were "pad-bolted and locked" while the premises were open for business.
A subsequent visit by police days later found the exits were still locked, a report to Dunedin’s district licensing committee said.
"Fenz believe the licensee has failed to comply with the requirements to ensure the escape of patrons in the event of a fire."
In the application, Fenz community risk manager James Knapp said he carried out a fire safety inspection at the premises in late April.
Two employees spoken to were unfamiliar with the approved fire evacuation scheme and the procedure for fire evacuation, he said.
"During the inspection, and while the premises was open to the public, I found that two of the three ground-floor fire exits were inoperable as they were pad-bolted and locked.
"I asked that they be unlocked immediately and remain unlocked while the premises is open to the public."
The next day, he emailed and hand-delivered a letter to the premises highlighting the failures to maintain the means of escape and ensure staff were trained to evacuate patrons in the event of a fire.
But he was advised police had two days later found the fire exits at the premises to be "locked and/or blocked".
"As a result of my inspection and subsequent information from police, I believe the respondent has failed to comply with the requirements relating to the escape of people in the event of fire.
"I therefore believe the safety of persons using the premises is likely to be endangered."
Otago University Students’ Association president Liam White said the inspector’s findings were "really shocking" and "extremely disappointing to hear".
"For obvious reasons, that’s unacceptable."
The Bog was "the closest we have to a student bar that isn’t U-Bar" and it was really popular with students, Mr White said.
"I’ve been to events there and a lot of student clubs hold events there.
"It makes me really concerned about what if something had happened, that at any time something could have happened and it would have been extremely dangerous for everybody inside.
"There’s no simple way of putting it — it’s just really dangerous and I don’t understand the rationale of why they would be locked," Mr White said.
It was "a tragedy waiting to happen".
"I won’t mince my words here. I mean, that could have been fatal."
Alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Steve Jones said yesterday police were supportive of Fenz’s application to suspend the licence.
It was disappointing the licensee had "dropped the ball" when it came to fire safety.
"When there’s any risk to patron safety, whether it comes from the irresponsible sale and supply of alcohol or anything to do with building and fire regulation, that is concerning."
Jasleen Saluja — the co-director of Gurbani Club Ltd, which trades as The Bog — said the issues had since been resolved and all managers had undertaken fire safety training last week.
A hearing has been scheduled for next Tuesday.
