The tragic death of a Surrey woman in a caravan fire has prompted a coroner’s urgent warning over fire safety standards at holiday accommodation sites across the UK.
Ruth Pingree, 42, from Thames Ditton, died while helping her children escape a burning caravan at the Happy Days Retro Vacations site in Saxmundham, Suffolk, in July 2022. Her family described her as having a “brilliant mind” and being “utterly devoted to her children.
Ms Pingree had been on holiday with her husband, children, and a group of friends when the fire broke out during the night. An inquest heard the likely cause was either an ember from a nearby fire pit or a discarded cigarette or match.
Alarm Could Have Saved Lives
In a Prevention of Future Deaths report, Suffolk Coroner Darren Stewart found that a functioning fire alarm could have alerted the family earlier, potentially saving Ms Pingree’s life.
“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,” Mr Stewart wrote.
Gaps in Safety and Regulation
The inquest revealed significant gaps in fire safety procedures. The Pingree family did not receive a safety briefing upon arrival or when they were shown to the caravan.
The coroner also highlighted the absence of a defined format or guidance for conducting risk assessments under the Fire Safety Order, especially for small businesses offering accommodation, such as holiday caravan parks.
Mr Stewart warned there is “substantial potential for short cuts and misunderstandings” in how such safety regulations are interpreted and implemented.
Call for Action
The findings have led to renewed calls for stricter safety standards and clearer regulations to prevent further tragedies at holiday sites across the UK.
Fire safety experts and campaigners are urging government and industry bodies to review guidance for private accommodation providers and ensure fire alarms, risk assessments, and safety briefings become standard practice.
A spokesperson for the Pingree family said they hoped the report would lead to real change and that Ruth’s legacy would be one of protection and prevention for others.
An official response from the caravan site operators is expected in due course.
