The husband of a barrister who died while helping her children escape a fire at a glamping site is suing the company that operated it for more than £200,000. Ruth Pingree, 42, perished during a family holiday at Happy Days Retro Vacations in Suffolk in July 2022. Her husband, Roland, is bringing the claim on behalf of her estate and their family, from Thames Ditton, alleging failures in fire safety at the site near Saxmundham, which has since closed.
Fire Incident Details
Coroner Darren Stewart previously found that the fire may have started from stray embers or a cigarette butt left outside the caravan, which was surrounded by plastic astroturf. The fire broke out some time before 4:30am on July 24, setting the exterior alight and spreading inward. The external aluminium of the caravan became so hot that the door jammed shut. When the children woke Mr Pingree, the caravan was filled with black, acrid smoke. He climbed out while Ruth stayed inside, passing the children to him. Ruth, described by Mr Stewart as someone ‘who was always there for her family,’ quickly became overcome by smoke and flames.
Allegations and Defence
In his claim, Mr Pingree said the smoke alarm failed to sound and that the site’s fire risk assessment was inadequate because it did not consider the flammability of the awning, artificial grass, or materials inside the caravan. Joel Kendall, barrister for Happy Days Retro Vacations Ltd, said the firm denies the allegations. He stated that Ruth was twice over the drink-drive limit and Mr Pingree was wearing earplugs at the time. Mr Kendall added that fire safety measures were in place and that there was no requirement for a specific assessment of the items listed by Mr Pingree. He also said the smoke alarm was working and Ruth’s alcohol consumption would have ‘significantly impaired’ her reactions and increased the level of noise needed to wake her.
The defence further argued that there were several windows that could have been used as escape routes and that one had been used. Mr Pingree maintains that the failures in fire safety and risk management created a dangerous environment that contributed to Ruth’s death.
Family Tribute
Ruth was described by her family as: ‘Someone who had a quality about them that drew you to her with her smile, her laugh, her heart, her vulnerability and her brilliant mind. She was a person who would make you feel loved and valued and appreciated. A one in a million. A person who was always there for her family and friends and utterly devoted to her children.’
A pre-trial hearing will take place at a later date unless the case is settled beforehand.
