A Nottinghamshire mum is fighting to change the law to make it mandatory for all caravans to have a smoke detector installed. Natasha Broadley lost her youngest daughter Louisiana Brooke-Dolan on August 23, 2021 to a tragic fire that broke out in the caravan they were staying in while on holiday in Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells.
The mum of four had been in the shower when she smelled smoke and came out to find the caravan in flames. An inquest took place last month where it was heard the fire started from a cupboard where the boiler had not had its gas certificate renewed for five months.
Although Natasha, of Newark, believes that the boiler is to blame, the court could not rule for certain what caused the fire. Following the incident Lincolnshire Police confirmed there would be no criminal charges, and the inquest into Louisiana's death heard how it could not be established that there was a fault with the boiler the owner should have known about. East Lindsey District Council have also since confirmed that they would also not be prosecuting.
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A spokesperson from East Lindsey District Council said: “The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires all businesses to conduct a fire safety risk assessment and communicate any significant findings of that assessment to employees or people using the premises. The enforcement of this and the need to fit smoke alarms in this type of accommodation lies with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.
“At this time East Lindsey District Council does not have sufficient evidence to pursue a company or individual, as we have found as a result of investigations to date that the damage to the gas water heater was as a result of the fire and not a conclusive indication as to the overall cause of the fire. The physical evidence left of the heater did not enable a conclusion as to the overall cause of the fire to be made.”
Now left without answers, Natasha explained she feels "obviously angry, but it's just emotional, overwhelming, just a lot of feelings." The mum plans to meet with her MP, Robert Jenrick, later this week to discuss her plans to make smoke alarms mandatory in caravans, and for all caravans to have boilers with in date certifications.
She explained: "I can't believe that there's not a law for a smoke alarm in a caravan, I just cannot for the life of me get over it. My boiler was five months out of date, it should have never had a boiler certificate.
"There's not a legal requirement to have a smoke alarm in a caravan at the moment. My caravan took seven minutes to burn down." Natasha feels that smoke alarms should be essential for all caravans to prevent others from suffering the heartbreak she has endured and says she is "going to try my best" to make changes happen.
She added: "It might not have happened to my family it might have happened to someone else, as you don't ask what happens to all these families beforehand do you, you just get the caravan how it is there and then. All these what ifs and buts."
Following what happened, Natasha went on to explain she is in "limbo" and stuck in "a what if mode." She said: "There's nothing you can do, and I feel like I'm to blame because I never saved her and I know I'm not to blame but I just feel like I'm blaming myself now."
She has set up a petition calling for a law to ensure that all caravans have smoke alarms, boiler certification and regular health and safety checks. The petition has so far received more than 3,900 signatures.
Dan Moss, area manager for prevention and protection at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are of course with the whole family in the aftermath of this fire. We will continue to highlight the need for people – both landlords and visitors - to prioritise fire safety in any holiday accommodation in Lincolnshire.
"We work together with East Lindsey District Council so that our shared responsibilities in licensing and fire safety enforcement, keep holiday homes safe.“
"Anyone renting out accommodation has a responsibility to make sure their guests are safe from fire. It’s a legal requirement for landlords to carry out a fire risk assessment, including in caravans, and take measures to protect those staying there. Adequate fire safety measures, such as fire alarm systems must be provided, maintained and in working order. Landlords also need to comply with gas safety regulations which include an annual safety check for gas appliances.”
Sealands Caravan Park has never been investigated in connection with the investigation. They did not respond to a request for comment.
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