Redbourn traveller caravans hit by fire were too close together

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg8dgeerm5o

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The Ver Meadows site in Redbourn, Hertfordshire, was mostly destroyed in the fire

Caravans at a council-run traveller site that were severely damaged by fire were situated too close together, according to evidence seen by the BBC.

Fifteen of the 18 plots at the Ver Meadows site in Redbourn were destroyed on 12 July.

Hertfordshire County Council said "to our knowledge" all the dwellings were more than six metres apart, but the BBC measured some separated by no more than 80cm (31in).

Myles Cash, who had relatives at Ver Meadows, claimed the council knew several pitches had up to three homes and that the size of pitches meant the distances could not be maintained.

"People could have lost their lives here," said Mr Cash.

What happened could have been "like a Grenfell Tower of travellers", he added.

No-one was hurt in the fire, but several dogs died.

The burnt-out remains of homes were situated close to the perimeter fences of the pitches

A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson told the BBC: "To our knowledge all of the dwellings were over six metres apart.

"If residents had chalets [or] caravans delivered without our knowledge, we would address this as a breach in the mobile homes act."

However, by examining the concrete and metal foundations of the burnt-out properties, the BBC measured a distance of no more than 80cm (31in) between some caravans and homes situated immediately the other side of the perimeter wooden fence.

The Mobile Homes Act 2013 states: "No caravan shall be stationed less than six metres from any other caravan on any other pitch."

The council wrote letters to all travellers across Hertfordshire in November: "We are aware that some pitches have more than two [caravans] and we will not be forcing you to remove any."

Mr Cash said the size of the pitches did not allow for six metres' clearance once a second caravan was parked on them, meaning the fire could spread quickly.

The council letter, seen by the BBC, continued: "We are aware that, due to the shortage of available pitches, many families are 'doubled up'.

"Whilst this is not ideal, we will not be forcing families to move off the site and make them homeless."

'Close-knit'

Hertfordshire County Council manages 202 Gypsy and traveller pitches, across 11 sites.

There were 35 families living on the 15 pitches that were destroyed in the blaze.

Mr Cash continued: "The council won't build any new sites and they won't let us extend our own sites."

He said he and his family had offered to rehome residents from Ver Meadows themselves.

"We are a close-knit community and we'll try and help each other the best we can."

This picture of the site, taken before the fire, shows spacing of significantly under six metres between some homes and caravans

The council said residents were "aware" of the fire safety regulations they had "signed up" to.

But Mr Cash pointed out that some travellers cannot read the guidance.

"The people who live here pay rent and council tax just like anyone else, but because they're illiterate they can't complain or raise awareness, and they're scared to speak out or they might lose their home," he said.

"One lady signed a form saying that she understood the council will need to check the placement of an extra mobile home... but looking at the aerial photo, her van was right next to a neighbouring static home."

Static caravans were situated less than six metres from mobile homes on the other side of perimeter fences

An independent report into the fire, by engineering consultancy firm Burgoynes, concluded the cause of the blaze was a "human act" but that crews faced delays in extinguishing it.

"There were difficulties getting appliances on to the site owing to the number of vehicles exiting via the only access road," said the report.

It also said a fire hydrant on the site "did not give the flow required for dealing with a fire of such rapid development and extent".

Claire Rice is from GATE Herts Gypsy and Traveller Empowerment, which is a local charity.

She said conditions on the site allowed the flames to spread unchecked "until it took eight fire engines to finally bring it under control".

"This isn't just about Ver Meadows," said Ms Rice.

"This is about a wider system that too often neglects Gypsy and traveller communities — treating their housing as temporary, their safety as an afterthought, and their voices as disposable."

Some residents erected their own concrete fences to protect themselves from fire

A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson said: "Sites are monitored, and advice given to residents, where caravans are too close together in contravention of fire safety regulations and the six-metre rule between caravans in the Mobile Homes Act."

They continued: "We would encourage residents to advise us on when they have new caravans arriving so we can advise on whether this meets regulations.

"Where appropriate to do so, we have taken action to address safety concerns."

The council said it was housing Ver Meadows residents at nearby hotels and was looking for alternative sites for the community.

It has provided supermarket vouchers and a one-off emergency payment to residents of £200 per pitch.

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