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Surrey caravan fire: Mother and two young children killed | Surrey caravan fire: Mother and two young children killed |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A woman and her two young children have died in a fire in a caravan near Lingfield, Surrey. | A woman and her two young children have died in a fire in a caravan near Lingfield, Surrey. |
The blaze, which killed the 35-year-old mother and her children, aged one and six, broke out at The Plantation mobile home site in Newchapel overnight. | |
Her 35-year-old husband and their 10-year-old son were treated for burns. | |
Their son was taken to the East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and later discharged. A joint police and fire investigation has begun. | |
Ian Ray, assistant group commander of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said three crews were sent to a "fully developed fire" at the site on West Park Road at 01:37 GMT. | Ian Ray, assistant group commander of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said three crews were sent to a "fully developed fire" at the site on West Park Road at 01:37 GMT. |
He said firefighters worked "extremely hard" to douse the flames but two children and their mother had died. | |
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those that are involved at this tragic time," he added. | "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those that are involved at this tragic time," he added. |
Surrey Police said the scene would remain cordoned off while inquiries continued. | |
Police guards have been at entrances to the mobile home site, which is beside a busy main road. | |
The local authority, Tandridge District Council, said the site was used by members of the Showmen's Guild. | The local authority, Tandridge District Council, said the site was used by members of the Showmen's Guild. |
The guild seeks to "protect the interests of its members - travelling showmen who gain their livelihoods by attending funfairs," according to its website. | The guild seeks to "protect the interests of its members - travelling showmen who gain their livelihoods by attending funfairs," according to its website. |
Guild president David Wallis said he knew of the family and that the man and woman had been married for "quite some time". | |
He said: "It's a terrible thing and all the members of the guild throughout the country send their condolences out to the family. | |
"What can you do when there are children involved? | "What can you do when there are children involved? |
"We are a travelling fairground community, a regulated body and very well organised and accepted throughout the country. | |
"We are quite a close community and the families living on the site are all very close and will be looking after those affected." | "We are quite a close community and the families living on the site are all very close and will be looking after those affected." |
The Guild has a benevolent fund and two representatives had gone to the site to help in any way they could, he added. | |
Tandridge District Council said in a statement that it had "no role in the management of the site, which is in private ownership". | |
"We understand that the fire and police services are currently investigating the circumstances of the fire," it continued. | "We understand that the fire and police services are currently investigating the circumstances of the fire," it continued. |
"The council has no direct involvement in this investigation but will assist if our services are required in any way." | "The council has no direct involvement in this investigation but will assist if our services are required in any way." |