Holiday caravan death prompts fire safety warning

Ruth Pingree died in the fire at Happy Days Retro Vacations in July 2022

The death of a Surrey woman in a caravan fire while helping her children escape has prompted a coroner's warning over fire safety standards.

Ruth Pingree, 42, from Thames Ditton, was described by her family as having a "brilliant mind" and "utterly devoted to her children".

She died after the holiday caravan she was staying in caught fire in Saxmundham in Suffolk in July 2022.

In a Prevention of Future Death report Suffolk Coroner Darren Stewart found there is "substantial potential for short cuts and misunderstandings" in fire safety regulation for businesses providing accommodation.

Mr Stewart said: "There is a lack of clear standards concerning what fire safety measures are required, how to assess what is to be applied, how to achieve that standard, and the assurance and enforcement mechanisms beyond this."

Ms Pingree and her husband and two children had been staying at the Happy Days Retro Vacations caravan site with a group of friends.

The caravan caught fire during the night from either an ember blowing from a nearby fire pit or a discarded cigarette or match, the inquest heard.

Ms Pingree had stayed to help her children flee the burning caravan.

The coroner found that had the fire alarm worked it is likely it would have alerted the family early.

The coroner found there is not any set guidance or format to conduct a risk assessment under the Fire Safety Order for proprietors.

The Pingree family did not receive a safety briefing when they arrived, or when they were introduced to the caravan.  

Happy Days Retro Vacations closed after the fatal fire and its owners have declined to comment, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.