A trial is to take place following the fire that killed two people at a care home in Cheshunt.
Firefighters rushed to the Newgrange care home on Cadmore Lane at around 5.50am on April 8, 2017, after receiving reports of the “extremely fierce” blaze.
Two residents were first reported to be missing, but Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) later confirmed the fatalities of two women.
They were 91-year-old Ivy Spriggs and 88-year-old Daphne Holloway.
More than 30 elderly residents were rescued, with at least six treated for smoke inhalation.
HFRS is now bringing about charges against a company and two individuals following the fatal fire.
Those accused appeared before the court in September last year, and all entered not guilty pleas for breaching the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005.
A trial is therefore scheduled for later this year.
A spokesman for HFRS said: “Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is bringing charges against a company and two individuals in relation to the fatal fire at Newgrange Care Home in Cheshunt on April 8, 2017.
“The company responsible for running the care home (Newgrange of Cheshunt Ltd), a director of the company (Nicholas Meyer) and a manager of the care home (Alison Wood) face charges of breaching the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
“At a pre-trial hearing at St Albans Crown Court on 21 September 21, 2018, all three parties entered not-guilty pleas for all charges, with a three week trial scheduled to start on the April 29, 2019.”
Seven firefighters were awarded a Queen’s Gallantry Medal on Tuesday, February 26, for their efforts in rescuing the residents which included five centenarians, one blind and 29 immobile.
With evacuation not possible, the firefighters had to “use their own bodies as shields” to protect the casualties from falling flaming debris.
Those commended by the Queen were firefighters Wayne Ansell, Simon Best, Ricky Davis, Christopher Meadows, Radoslaw Przemyslaw Pejka, Simon Waddingham and crew commander Daniel Cooper.
