The husband of a barrister who perished while rescuing her children from a devastating fire at a glamping site is pursuing legal action for more than £200,000 in compensation.
Tragedy at Suffolk Glampsite
Ruth Pingree, a 42-year-old criminal barrister, lost her life in July 2022 during a family staycation at Happy Days Retro Vacations in Suffolk. The vintage Airstream caravan she shared with her husband Roland and their two children became engulfed in flames in the early hours of the morning. A coroner determined that the fire may have been ignited by stray campfire coals or a discarded cigarette end outside the caravan, which was surrounded by flammable plastic astroturf.
Mrs Pingree was described by her family as an extraordinary individual who drew people in with her smile, laugh, heart, vulnerability, and brilliant mind. She was a devoted mother and friend.
Legal Claims and Allegations
Roland Pingree is now suing Happy Days Retro Vacations Limited, the company that operated the site on a farm near Saxmundham, on behalf of the family and as administrator of his wife's estate. He is seeking over £200,000 under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, along with personal injury claims for himself and their children.
The claim alleges that the smoke alarm in the caravan was defective and failed to sound, costing Mrs Pingree crucial seconds that might have saved her life. Additionally, it argues that the site's risk assessment was inadequate and that no safety assessment was conducted regarding the flammability of the awning, artificial grass, and interior materials.
Defence Arguments
Lawyers for the glamping company deny the alarm was faulty. They assert that the smoke detector was checked and working three to four days before the family's arrival and was tested monthly. They also note that Mr Pingree was wearing earplugs at the time.
In their defence, the company claims that Mrs Pingree was in an intoxicated state, with a blood alcohol level of 200mg/100ml found during the post-mortem examination. They argue this would have significantly impaired her judgment, reactions, and movements, and would have required a higher sound pressure to rouse her from sleep.
The defence further states that the risk assessment was suitable and proportionate, and that no formal flammability assessment was reasonably required given the site's size and nature. They point out that the central fire pit was positioned 11.5 metres from the caravan and surrounded by bricks to prevent fire spread.
Inquest Findings
An inquest into Mrs Pingree's death by Suffolk coroner Darren Stewart heard that the family had been socialising around a fire pit on the evening of July 23, with some adults smoking. The site owner conducted a security check around 12:30 am, noting a few glowing embers. The weather had been exceptionally dry and windy.
The coroner found that between the inspection and 4:30 am, a fire started outside one end of the caravan, heating the aluminium cladding and causing the door frame to jam. Mr Pingree was woken by the children and forced open a window as the caravan filled with acrid smoke. The couple managed to help the children escape, but Mrs Pingree was overcome by flames and smoke.
The glampsite at Wardspring Farm has since permanently closed. The case is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing unless a settlement is reached beforehand.
