Rachel Barnes, widow of Anthony Barnes, 48, is seeking over £500,000 (approximately $630,000 USD) in damages from Hotel Des Idrissides, which operates as the Jaal Riad resort in Marrakech. Mr. Barnes, a director and co-owner of the recruitment company The One Group, died in March 2023 after becoming trapped in a fire that broke out in the hotel's spa while he was receiving a massage. A hotel staff member also died in the incident.
Mrs. Barnes has initiated legal proceedings against the resort, alleging that the fire was caused by the company's negligence. The claims include a failure to implement adequate fire safety precautions and a delay in contacting emergency services. According to court documents filed by Mrs. Barnes's barrister, Matthew Chapman KC, Mr. Barnes was in a massage treatment when hotel staff became aware of the fire. An inquest in the UK concluded in October of the previous year that Mr. Barnes's death was accidental, citing that the spa was filled with thick smoke, which obscured visibility and hampered rescue efforts.
Chapman stated that the company is liable for the "negligent mismanagement of the hotel and its spa facilities," asserting that Mr. Barnes was exposed to a foreseeable risk of harm and death. He further detailed alleged failures, including the lack of functioning fire and smoke alarm systems and evacuation lighting in the spa, a failure to inform Mr. Barnes of the fire, inadequate CCTV operations, and a lack of prompt alert to emergency services. Additionally, it was claimed that the spa was constructed with materials lacking appropriate fire resistance and that there was an insufficient number of fire extinguishers.
Chapman argued that the circumstances of the accident suggest a failure in the proper design, construction, installation, maintenance, and operation of the spa facilities.
However, Hotel Des Idrissides, represented by barrister Alistair Mackenzie, denies the claims. The hotel states that the fire originated in the spa's sauna and that its employees raised the alarm, attempted to combat the fire, and worked to evacuate guests, including Mr. Barnes. The defense asserts that the building complied with Moroccan regulations for such facilities.
Mackenzie countered that while smoke alarms were not installed in Mr. Barnes's specific treatment room due to humidity, they were present in adjacent areas, which was not considered negligent. The hotel maintained it had a suitable alarm system, fitted emergency lighting, used appropriate construction materials, and had CCTV covering access routes, along with multiple working fire extinguishers. The defense also noted that the claim documents failed to specify how the alleged acts or omissions led to Mr. Barnes's death.
The legal hearing for the case has not yet taken place.