Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging the public to prioritise fire safety in caravans, following a devastating blaze in Ingoldmells earlier this month that claimed the lives of a father and daughter.

Lee Baker, 48, and his 10-year-old daughter Esme, from Nottinghamshire, tragically died in the fire on Saturday 5th April. The fire, which investigators have confirmed was accidental, has prompted a fresh wave of public safety engagement ahead of the busy summer season.

Fire officers have been speaking to holidaymakers across the area, providing advice and answering questions to help ensure others don’t face similar tragedies.

“When you arrive, before putting the kettle on, take a minute or two to think about fire safety,” says Dan Moss, area manager for prevention and protection.
“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 says.
“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.”

Fire officers stationed themselves along the Skegness Tower Esplanade earlier this week to promote safety advice. Among the guidance shared was a lesser-known warning: avoid charging mobile phones overnight.

Phil and his daughter Lyla, visiting from Stoke-on-Trent, found the advice eye-opening.
“We didn't know you shouldn't charge phones overnight. Fire safety wasn't something I thought about when I booked the holiday,” Phil says.
Lyla adds: “It was shocking. I didn't expect charging my phone at night to be one of the risks. I will consider not doing it anymore if that's a big risk.”

Alastair, who was holidaying with his family from near Stirling, Scotland, echoed the importance of awareness. A stove fitter by trade, he is always mindful of the risks posed by fire and carbon monoxide.
“I check out first of all where the fire extinguishers are,” he says.
“Especially, when you have kids. You have to make sure they're safe.”

Key Caravan Fire Safety Tips

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."

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