Pensioner dies in caravan park fire
A PENSIONER died after a fireball engulfed his home in Golden Cross, near Uckfield.
These pictures show the scene after the devastating fire at Deanland Wood Caravan Park off Cathedral Walk in the early hours of Friday.
A man, named locally as Cameron Campbell, died at the scene.
His wife Shirley, who escaped because she was staying in a caravan next door, was supported by residents as fire crews took control of the blaze.
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Police officers, who were still investigating the cause of the fire when the Courier went to press, said the body had been so badly burnt it was not possible to formally identify it.
Thelma Davies, 78, who woke up and saw the fire engines, said: "It was like a fireball. It was quite a shock to see it. Lucky his wife was next door.
"We weren't sure if he was there then they found him in the lounge."
Neighbour Rita Morrison, 82, said: "It frightened the life out of me. I heard this crackling and thought 'why has somebody got a bonfire at this time?' in the morning and then I looked and I thought – oh my God."
Mrs Morrison added: "It was an accident waiting to happen. Thank God his wife was not there."
Another resident Joyce Scriven, 60, said: "It's a bit of a shock. You don't expect it. He always seemed a polite sort of a person."
Fire crews from Hailsham and Herstmonceux attended the fire at 3.30am which took two hours to get under control.
The windows of the caravan next door were broken and the guttering and front door were melted because of the intensity of the fire.
Ron Kirkwood, fire investigating officer, said: "When the crews first came here it was well alight. The fire had spread through to the back.
"People have to make sure that they have a fire alarm fitted. If you fall within the vulnerable group it's provided free of charge.
"You are most vulnerable in your home that's why we want people to take protection."
The cause of the fire is still being investigated but is not being treated as suspicious. Mr Kirkwood did not rule out a cigarette as the cause.
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