There has been yet another terrifying reminder of the danger that fire can pose when travellers are camping close together, either at a van park or at a camping area.
A blaze has swept through a campsite around 50 kilometres east of Pine Creek in the Northern Territory causing massive damage. A group of 12 Queenslanders on a hunting expedition lost multiple cars, trailers and quad bikes, as well as their six dogs, in the inferno.
Police say the group was not at the site when a small fire started within the camp, which then set alight a gazebo and quickly spread.
Police said they are still investigating the cause of the fire, which also damaged surrounding scrubland before burning out.
The ABC reports that the group had been in the Northern Territory for eight days, and had two days of their trip remaining. It is not known whether the campers, who are on their way back to Queensland, had insurance.
With caravans, motorhomes and cabins often located very close together, there is concern among grey nomads about how quickly a fire could sweep through. All caravan parks have to follow strict fire safety guidelines but, with multiple gas bottles around and cooking in relatively cramped conditions a fact of travelling life, the potential for problems is always there.
Earlier this month, a fire at a caravan in a Grafton caravan park nearly caused damage to neighbouring vehicles, although it didn’t spread. And back in July, a caravan parked at the Port Lincoln Tourist Park in South Australia was destroyed by fire.
· Have you ever been at a caravan park or camping area when a fire has broken out? Comment below.
