Woman dies and three others are rushed to hospital amid caravan fire
Woman dies and three others are rushed to hospital after vintage caravan catches fire at glamping site
- The fire broke out in a caravan at Wardspring Farm near Saxmundham in Suffolk
- Blaze broke out at 4:40am on Sunday morning and was contained to one caravan
- The site is known for its collection of vintage American Airstream caravans
- A Suffolk county councillor said the victims were a family on holiday from Surrey
A woman has been killed and three people have been taken to hospital after a vintage caravan caught fire on a farm near Saxmundham in Suffolk early on Sunday morning.
Fire crews, the ambulance service and police descended on the Happy Days Retro Vacations caravan site at Wardspring Farm in Leiston Road shortly after the fatal blaze broke out at around 4.40am.
The blaze did not spread beyond the caravan, according to police.
The site, which opened in 2015, boasts seven fully restored American Airstream caravans built between the 1950s and 1970s costing from £550 a week, as well as a small British two berth caravan.
The cause of the fire has not yet been revealed, and police did not comment on the condition of the three injured in the incident.
But Suffolk county councillor Richard Smith said he understood the victims were a family who were holidaying in the area from Surrey.
Fire crews, the ambulance service and police descended on the Happy Days Retro Vacations caravan site at Wardspring Farm in Leiston Road (pictured) shortly after the fire was reported but were unable to save one of the victims
The blaze broke out in an American Airstream vintage caravan similar to the one pictured here
The area remained cordoned off by police on Sunday evening as officers began an investigation into the blaze along with Suffolk Fire Service and officials from East Suffolk Council.
A member of staff at the site simply said: ‘It is still very raw. I am not saying anything.’
Councillor Smith said: ‘As a county councillor, I am informed of serious incidents that happen in my area.
‘I was very sad to hear of this tragic incident. I heard the family was in one caravan, but unfortunately one woman was not able to make it out.
‘I understand that the others who were in the caravan suffered burns which is not surprising as they were trying to get out of a caravan on fire.
‘It’s a terrible tragedy for a family who had come up to Suffolk to enjoy a holiday in the good weather. All my thoughts are with the family, who have lost a wife and mother.
‘I’m sure the fire service operatives did all they could. It is such a tragic story.
‘I want to say how grateful I am for the fire service, who have had a tough job in the last week.’
Saxmundham town councillor Jeremy Smith also expressed his condolences to the family caught up in the tragedy.
The area remained cordoned off by police on Sunday evening as officers began an investigation into the blaze along with Suffolk Fire Service and officials from East Suffolk Council (entrance to the park is pictured)
A renovated American Airstream caravan is pictured on a site in Liverpool
He added: ‘Obviously, it is extremely sad to hear that someone has died.
‘From our point of view, in and around Saxmundham is a very safe place to be. It is extremely rare for this sort of thing to happen.
‘Our full condolences go to the friends and family of the deceased.’
The site’s owners did not respond to a request for comment and its own website appears to be offline.
Campfires and barbecues are permitted on the site, according to booking sites.
The incident is being jointly investigated by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk Police.
Source: Read Full Article