Devon caravan fire sparks smoke alarm call

Caravan owners are being encouraged to install smoke alarms after a family escaped from a fire which destroyed their mobile home at a caravan park near Sidmouth.

Two fire crews from Sidmouth attended the incident at Kingsdown Tail caravan park, Salcombe Regis, early in the morning of 20 March.

The family was asleep inside the caravan and the alarm was raised by a passer-by who saw smoke coming out. The occupants were unaware of the fire at the time as there were no smoke alarms installed.

Watch Manager Gareth Sydenham said: “Fortunately, no one was hurt on this occasion, but if the fire had happened a few hours earlier the outcome may have been very different.

“The caravan was totally destroyed before the arrival of our fire crews, who arrived within 12 minutes of the 999 call.”

A nearby car was also severely damaged by fire and an ambulance was called to treat a woman suffering from shock.

Caravans have limited escape options and as they are made of lightweight and highly combustible fittings, a fire can spread very quickly.

The warning a working smoke alarm gives can mean the difference between life and death. They are designed to detect fire in its early stages and can give you those precious few moments to get out safely.

If you live in a caravan remember to follow basic fire safety precautions:

• Fit a smoke detector in your caravan - smoke alarms are the first line of defence against fire. Find out about firefighting arrangements on the site
• Keep a torch handy for emergencies - do not use a lit candle
• Keep the caravan ventilated and don't block up air vents - it could be fatal
• Before going to bed or leaving the caravan, turn off all appliances
• Check all gas fittings. Use arrester valves on gas bottles and make sure your home is adequately ventilated