What next for Ver Meadows Caravan site devastated by fire?

What happened?

The fire service was called at 3.05pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025, to reports of a blaze at the Ver Meadows Caravan Park. 

Eight fire appliances and a water bowser were sent to the scene at the height of the incident, and the fire was extinguished at around 10.30pm that day.

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) confirmed that "everyone at the site was safe and accounted for", but that 15 of the 18 pitches on the site were impacted by the fire. 

GATE Herts, a representative organisation for gypsy and traveller people across the county, swiftly called for urgent action following the incident.

A section of the A5183 Redbourn Bypass was closed during the incident. (Image: Em Russell)

At the time, Scott Crudgington, the council's deputy chief executive and executive director of resources, said: "I would like start to by saying how deeply saddened I was to learn of the devastating fire at the Ver Meadow Caravan Park in Redbourn on July 12.

"My thoughts are with the families and individuals affected at this extremely tough time.

"I would like to pay tribute to our excellent Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for their tireless work to put out the blaze, amid extremely hot temperatures.

"I would also like to reassure those affected that we at HCC, alongside our partners at St Albans District Council, stand by you and will be supporting you.

"Since the fire, a range of organisations including St Albans District Council and HCC have been working with those affected to ensure they are temporarily rehoused and their needs are met.

"We will continue to help them as they begin the gradual process of rebuilding their lives."

The investigations

A subsequent report by Herts Fire and Rescue Service suggested that it is "not clear" what the cause of the fire was.

An independent assessment followed, published by Consulting Scientists and engineers Burgoynes.

The investigators ruled out other justifications for the fire starting including within the sanitation unit, from live power/gas supply's or lithium ion batteries.

Investigators said: "The fire was not caused by a fault at an energised electrical appliance or a faulty gas appliance/ignition of a gas leak.

"The only remaining possibility is that the fire was a result of a human act".

They cited cigarette ends or candles as possible igniters, but determined that physical evidence did not allow the precise nature of the act that led to the fire to be confirmed.

"Possibilities include a deliberate act (although, it should be emphasised that there was no positive physical evidence to support this possibility), a carelessly discarded lit cigarette end inside or outside the caravan, an accident with a lit candle, and the burning of waste/combustible materials in the fire basket found adjacent to the caravan," the report began.

null (Image: Sir-Mark Dee Maa)

Investigators found "no available first-hand witness accounts" from any residents of the caravan park.

Two 999 calls were made to the emergency services when the fire broke out - both were a few seconds apart at 3.06pm. 

The report continued: "One caller, who was on his way back to the park when he spoke to the 999 operator, had reportedly had a call to inform him of the fire, and he reported that the fire was on plot 10 but he was not aware of what was involved.

"The other caller reported that number 10 Ver Meadows was on fire and stated that ‘a mobile home is on fire’. The caller was not aware if anybody was inside [the caravan] and, after a few moments, the caller reported that the fire had spread to the fence."

A timeline of events revealed that crew found caravans were unoccupied and they rescued  a number of dogs and pets, in addition to removing propane cylinders from throughout the site.

"Where the caravans and vehicles had been destroyed, there was no remaining pattern of damage to indicate the area of origin of the fire," investigators said.

"However, the available circumstantial information (comprising the 999 call, the information from the Fire Service and the social media post) indicated that the fire had originated on plot 10 in the vicinity of a mobile caravan."

Despite the plot being the believed ignition site, there was no further evidence to show what caused the fire.

What next for the caravan site?

Since the blaze, HCC announced it had cleared the site, measured the site, checked drains and pipes, and was assessing the structure of the retaining wall to ensure it is safe.

A statement by the body reads: "We worked with planning, insurance, and design teams to make sure everything is done properly. Our goal is to get the site ready for you to move back as soon as possible."

In the latest video update, published on December 4, HCC confirms its plans to choose a builder by mid-December ahead of final plans - to be agreed in "early 2026".

"In mid-March 2026, the building work starts," the video said.

"We'll work hard with the builder to keep things on time and finish as quickly as we can. We will keep you up to date as we go."

Existing named tenants and license holders will be able to return to Ver Meadows when it is repaired and HCC suggest there are "a number of offers" for alternative sites for the community to use while works continue.

Tenants were also reminded that they are responsible for insuring their own vehicles and contents and should contact their own insurers.    

In total, Redbourn Parish Council raised £8,535 for those affected through a JustGiving page and continue to work with the Hospital and Community Navigation Service to ensure that the funds raised are spent in a way that best meets the needs of the whole community.

If you have questions, please contact the Gypsy and Traveller Team at Hertfordshire County Council on 01707 281622.