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Six companies facing charges relating to a fire that destroyed a retirement complex will try to have the case dismissed, a court has heard.

The firms are accused of failing to comply with fire safety legislation, connected to the blaze that destroyed Beechmere in Crewe in August 2019.

More than 150 people lost their homes in the fire. No-one was hurt.

During a hearing at Chester Crown Court the firms said they would apply to have the case dismissed.

They will next appear in court on 22 April for the start of a four-day hearing on abuse of process followed by application for dismissal.

A trial date has been set for 5 May, 2025 and is set to last 10 weeks.

The charges were brought against the companies involved in designing and building the complex as well as firms responsible for repairs, roofing works, facilities management and fire risk assessments.

The six firms accused are:

All are accused of failing to comply with the Fire Safety (Regulatory Reform) Order 2005.

The charges were brought by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service following a four-year investigation into the blaze.

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