Skegness Magazine

EXPLOSION -LIKE A BOMB

CARAVAN WRECKED IN MIDNIGHT DRAMA AT SKEGNESS

GIRL HOLIDAY-MAKERS’ PLIGHT
It was approaching midnight on Sunday as three girls made their way to the caravan in Walsh’s Camping Site, Skegness, which was to be their home for the next week. There was a slight mist, but that was forgotten, for they were on holiday, and everything was bound to turn out fine.

They had just seen a variety show at the Derbyshire Miners’ Theatre, and, as the lights from other caravans winked out all around them, their plans for the immediate future were to make themselves a cup of tea and go to bed.

A few minutes later, their frantic screams brought other caravanners leaping from their beds as two explosions resounded through the camp, shattering the caravan side and one end. Flames burned the girls’ legs and singed their hair.

HUMAN CHAIN
Activity around the caravan reached fever pitch as pyjama-clad holidaymakers formed a human chain, passing along buckets of water to quench the flames in the caravan, sleep completely forgotten.
Soon the fire tender and ambulance arrived, first aid was rendered to the girls and the flames extinguished.

A little later they found accommodation for the night with friendly holiday-makers, and a householder.
The drama started as Evelyn Haywood (18), of 353, Mary Street, Langworth, near Mansfield, struck a match to light the gas in the caravan. Her sister Doreen (19), and their friend Barbara Collier, of 22, Bevin Estate, Cresswell, near Worksop, stood in the doorway ready to step inside when the light gleamed.

But they were not to get inside, at least for some time. The lamp lit, Evelyn moved the match towards the stove. There was a roar and flames leaped out.
Evelyn leaped for the door, as a second explosion shook the caravan.
Inside, flames quickly took a hold on anything and everything, destroying the girls, clothing, much of which was new.

1955 Skegness Standard news story