A fire service has issued an urgent warning to all caravan owners following the devastating death of a father and his daughter in a caravan fire.
They are a staple of British holidays and every summer an army of caravans will take to the motorways, campsites and even lay-bys across the country, but fire chiefs are urging caravanners to take extra care this summer following the tragic deaths. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging the public to prioritise fire safety in caravans, following a devastating blaze in Ingoldmells in April that claimed the lives of a father and daughter.
Lee Baker, 48, and his 10-year-old daughter Esme, from Nottinghamshire, tragically died in a fire on Saturday April 5. The fire, which investigators have confirmed was accidental, has prompted a fresh wave of public safety warnings. Fire officers have been speaking to holidaymakers providing advice and answering questions to help ensure others don’t face similar tragedies.
Dan Moss, area manager for prevention and protection, said: “When you arrive, before putting the kettle on, take a minute or two to think about fire safety.
“Make sure there is a smoke detector and test it to make sure it’s working.
Check which windows open far enough for you to get out of if needed, and clear anything blocking an escape route. Look for a fire extinguisher, or fire blanket, in case of small fires, and that they are easily reachable if you need them.”
The tragedy has brought painful memories back for campaigner Natasha Broadley, whose two-year-old daughter Louisiana Brooke Dolan died in a 2021 caravan fire at Sealands Caravan Park in the same town.
She has since contacted the Baker family to offer support. “It hurt my heart (when I heard the news),” she said.
“This is what I’ve been dreading, seeing another caravan fire. And, sadly, two lives have been lost. There needs to be a real crackdown on caravan safety. I’d like more checks to make sure the smoke alarms are working. People need to be on top of gas certificates.
“I just want to make them safer for families. That is my number one priority. All we did was go on holiday and we came back without my baby.”
Key Caravan Fire Safety Tips from The Fire Industry Association:
Fire officers stress that in the event of a fire, the first action should always be to “get everyone away from the caravan at a safe distance and call 999 immediately.”
Additional safety advice includes:
Make sure everyone knows where the fire extinguishers are
Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working
Make sure everyone knows an escape route
If you smoke, use metal ashtrays and never smoke in bed
Ensure air vents are clear – if air vents get blocked, it could be fatal
Turn off all appliances before you leave the caravan or go to bed
Never use a cooker or heater while your caravan is moving
Don’t leave pans unattended when cooking
Find out the firefighting arrangements on the campsite
Don’t dry clothes over the stove
Never leave children alone in a caravan
Don’t charge mobile phones overnight
The National Caravan Council has also emphasised the importance of working smoke alarms, noting that at least one should be installed in the hallway outside the sleeping areas and tested monthly.
Local councils have a key role to play in enforcing fire safety standards through caravan site licensing. A spokesperson for East Lindsey District Council said: “We would encourage all caravan owners and holidaymakers to explore the caravan licensing resources on the council website and to familiarise themselves with the caravan site licence, which includes conditions that cover fire safety and other health and safety matters.”
Fire safety officers regularly visit caravan parks to offer advice and assess risks.
“We know the number of sites there are up and down the coast,” says Dan Moss.
“When we identify risks, we make sure we can support and manage those risks and work with local authorities to make sure relevant safety requirements are in place. We don’t want to shut any caravan park but if we have to do that, we will support the local authority with that enforcement.”