Tragic Incident Leads to Legal Action
A British widow has taken legal action against a five-star hotel in Marrakech following the tragic death of her husband, Anthony Barnes, who perished in a fire that broke out in the hotel's spa. The incident, which occurred during a work trip to Morocco in March 2023, has prompted Rachel Barnes to file a lawsuit in the High Court of the United Kingdom, seeking damages exceeding £500,000, as reported by the Independent.
Allegations of Negligence
In court documents, Rachel Barnes has accused the hotel of negligence, claiming that it failed to install and maintain effective fire alarm systems and smoke detectors. Additionally, she highlighted the absence of emergency exit lighting, active surveillance cameras, and other essential fire-fighting equipment. The lawsuit further alleges that the spa was constructed using non-fire-resistant materials and that the authorities were not notified of the incident promptly enough.
This legal action follows an investigation in the UK, which concluded in October 2025, determining that Barnes's death was accidental due to dense and acrid smoke in the spa, which obstructed visibility and hindered rescue efforts.
The hotel management, on their part, has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the fire originated in the sauna area. They claim that staff members activated the alarm and attempted to extinguish the fire while evacuating guests. The hotel representatives stated that they comply with Moroccan laws and are equipped with an adequate alarm system, emergency lighting, active surveillance at entrances, and functional fire-fighting equipment. A court date for the case has yet to be determined.
As reported by ar.yabiladi.com.
