Caravan Graveyard

[FrintonMike]

The above is the title of an article in yesterdays Sun.

The photo shows 60 caravans destroyed by fire at a storage site at Bredons Hardwick, near Tewkesbury. A few other caravans appear to be intact but even these may have smoke damage.

I hope all those who have lost their vans were insured but even that does not compensate for the loss.

The article says the cause is being investigated

 

[RogerL]

There were early reports that the fire may have been caused by chinese lanterns let off by caravanners at the clubhouse of the caravan site to which the storage area is attached.
I've not seen more recent reports to confirm or deny this.

 

[Grahamh]

BBC news this eve repeated the story about fire starting with chinese lantern. Also contained the info that many van owners were not insured :-(

 

[Surfer]

BBC news this eve repeated the story about fire starting with chinese lantern. Also contained the info that many van owners were not insured :-(

This may sound harsh, but I have no sympathy for people who do not insure their caravans. They are probably the main cause for increased rpemiums every year as the insurance company cannot claim money off them. I can never understand why someone pays £10,000 or more for a caravan and then does not bother to insure it.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I've just got back from the storage site to collect the gas cylinder. Left it in the van after last outing 'cos didn't have space in the car to carry it. I hope the neighbouring vans have removed theirs also.

 

[TonyG]

I've just got back from the storage site to collect the gas cylinder. Left it in the van after last outing 'cos didn't have space in the car to carry it. I hope the neighbouring vans have removed theirs also.

We dont remove our gas bottles while in storage (Cassoa Gold) and dont know anybody that does... what are you suposed to do with them, store them in your garage and potentially move the problem, Dont think so

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I've just got back from the storage site to collect the gas cylinder. Left it in the van after last outing 'cos didn't have space in the car to carry it. I hope the neighbouring vans have removed theirs also.

We dont remove our gas bottles while in storage (Cassoa Gold) and dont know anybody that does... what are you suposed to do with them, store them in your garage and potentially move the problem, Dont think so

We always remove the cylinder for winter storage in case there's a fire. Simply being safety consious. The cylinder gets stored in our garden shed over winter.
By the way what difference does a 'Cassoa Gold' site make to safety? The web site for the caravan storage in the OP states about having confidence in their 'safe and secure' site. Whoops.

 

[TonyG]

I've just got back from the storage site to collect the gas cylinder. Left it in the van after last outing 'cos didn't have space in the car to carry it. I hope the neighbouring vans have removed theirs also.

We dont remove our gas bottles while in storage (Cassoa Gold) and dont know anybody that does... what are you suposed to do with them, store them in your garage and potentially move the problem, Dont think so

We always remove the cylinder for winter storage in case there's a fire. Simply being safety consious. The cylinder gets stored in our garden shed over winter.
By the way what difference does a 'Cassoa Gold' site make to safety? The web site for the caravan storage in the OP states about having confidence in their 'safe and secure' site. Whoops.

doesnt make any difference regarding Casooa Gold, silver or brozne i mentioned it because if any site would have extra rules regarding, insurance, gas bottles etc you would expect it to be Cassoa Gold,
You mentioned you remove gas bottles for "winter Storage".... do fire not happen in summer then?

 

[xtrailman]

I keep my gas cylinder in the caravan, rather than the shed, my thinking is the shed is more likely to catch fire made of wood, than the caravan with a alli skin.
And it has a vented floor.

 

[Surfer]

If storing a gas cylinder at home as it is a hazardous substance surely you would need warning signs to comply with the law? At most places that sell cylinders, the cylinders are normally stored in wire cages away from any combustible substances.

 

[Raywood]

Very stupid not insuring your caravan but it has no effect on premiums as the owners cannot recover any money unless they can show the site operator was negligent. Looking at this case if they allowed Chinese lanterns to be set off then the danger might be regarded as obvious and the site owners insurance could be landed with a very large bill. Could make an interesting legal case.