A SERIOUS fire involving a caravan at Throwleigh is among a series of incidents that has prompted Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to issue advice on how caravan owners can reduce the risk of fire.

Fire crews have attended at least six serious fires involving caravans or mobile homes since the start of the year, which caused serious damage to the structures involved.

The incident at Throwleigh, involving a caravan and a woodburner on January 22, is among those to prompt the service to give caravan owners advice on fire prevention.

Community safety prevention manager Marc House, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'Caravans can be perfectly safe but accidents can happen in any home and there is a need to take precautions to reduce the risk of fire.

'In particular, owners should ensure that bonfires are lit well away from the caravan and that electrical sockets are not overloaded.

'Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors will provide an early warning of danger.'

Vents should be kept clear and a Gas Safe engineer should be used to fix gas heaters. The manufacturers' instructions should always be adhered to when using solid fuel burners.

The firefighting operation in caravans is often complicated by the presence of gas cylinders, which have the potential to explode if they are exposed to fire and require the service to set a 200 metre exclusion zone.

When not in use, gas cylinders should be stored six metres away from the home.

This also applies to empty canisters as they are still dangerous.

When the caravan is in a remote location, the fire may not be seen in the early stages and can develop into a large fire before the arrival of firefighters.

If you have to make an emergency call, a six-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference or full directions are useful.