News of another fire at a caravan park will no doubt send a shiver down the spines of many grey nomads.
With caravans and motorhomes commonly having to park up in close quarters to each other in van parks, the thought of a blaze sweeping through is understandably a worrying one for many travellers.
Firefighters have reportedly contained a large blaze at Tin Can Bay which gutted a unit and destroyed several caravans at a popular caravan park near the marina.
The Courier Mail reports that multiple crews were called to the complex near the intersections of Emperor St, Cod St, and the Esplanade shortly yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were on the scene very quickly. PIC: QFES
A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman told the paper that at least one unit, possibly a complex, had been completely destroyed in the fire which had also damaged a home and torn through several caravans.
The fire was reported to be extinguished within around an hour of it being reported, with four crews remaining to “completely dampen” the area.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman told the Courier Mail that several crews were on standby but it no-one is believed to have been injured in the fire.
Investigations into the cause of the blaze are underway.
Sadly, fires in caravan parks are an ever-present threat … and they can have horrific consequences. Back in 2019, 18 caravans were destroyed when flames swept from van to van at the Goughs Bay Caravan Park near Lake Eildon in Victoria.
In September 2016, two people were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after a blaze at a caravan park in Grafton, New South Wales.
And earlier that year, a 63-year-old woman died when fire tore through her caravan at the Price Caravan Park on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
The potential for disaster means caravan parks have to follow strict fire safety regulations.
And operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and to brush up on their skills.
A year ago in Victoria, for example, (CFA) Bellarine Group of brigades worked with the Victorian Caravan Parks Association to deliver a full day of fire safety education and training to more than 60 caravan park operators from across the state.
The day covered fire risk, caravan park legislation, emergency management and evacuation planning, first attack firefighting and use of extinguishers, and property preparation.
CFA’s Specialist Risk and Fire Safety Manager, Matt Allen, said at the time that educating caravan park operators, staff, and ultimately their guests, about fire safety could save lives and reduce injury in the event of a fire.
“Fire safety risks can vary in parks depending on where they are located, however the flammability of caravans and their small size means that if a fire starts from cooking, an accident or faulty equipment, there is a high risk of fatality,” he said. “The fire is also likely to spread quickly due to its proximity to other caravans and park facilities.”
Between 2006 and 2024, Victoria’s CFA attended 717 fires or explosions at caravan parks.
WIN A COBB GRILL GAS+
Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win a Cobb Grill Gas+, the ultimate portable barbecue option for those who live life on the road.
The just-released grill connects directly to LPG, adding extra versatility to the existing Cobb range which already includes charcoal and Butane gas options.
The Cobb Grill Gas+ also has built-in Flame Failure Device (FFD), a wind-resistant burner design, a cool-to-touch outer base, and is easy to clean.
Retailing for $479, the Cobb Grill Gas+ comes with a cooking plate, 1.5-metre hose & regulator, lifting fork, and a carry bag.
There was only 2 vans damaged in the fire at tin can bay and they were permanent vans there all permanent vans at this van park
The more salient point here is where did the fire start and why. Lay the blame where it belongs.
Just as well they were not yours Dan – they only belonged to some other sucker.s.
Just yet another reason to free camp!
There is nothing enjoyable nor is it acceptable for caravan parks to put profit before safety. Allocated space for vans must provide for the caravan width and length plus awning space as well as parking for a tow vehicle which does not require it to be parked in front of the caravan on the roadside strip. When arriving and departing (ie: hooking up) vehicles on the roadside are a hazard.
Govt standards should ensure this and it is about time caravan parks wake up and provide decent space for privacy and paid enjoyment.
Its a rort no longer acceptable, seniors especially are not to be cash cows.
As with everything today, people in positions of power(e.g. land owners/government officials) will find any possible way to strangle you for your money.
Until Joe Public stops giving in to the money grabbers they will continue to do so.
Until you actually whiteness a row of caravans going up in flames one after another you will not appreciate how quickly the fire spreads, you don’t stand a chance of escape if you hesitate just for a second, forget trying to salvage anything or going back for anything, I witnessed this twice once 8 bigger caravans went up opposite my van a good 25m from me the. heat was so intense our front blinds sagged inside the van, the second time 3 went up in a storage area at the end of the park, that was back in the 80’s in both cases the Fires got there within minutes, but it was all over by then.
There were plenty of hydrants around, but you couldn’t even get near them.
That’s the main reason why we never go anywhere in the Tourist season, besides the outrageous costs and seeing this twice is enough for me