Mum devastated at no prosecutions over girl's death

The mother of a two-year-old who died in a caravan fire has said she is "devastated" that no prosecutions will take place.

Louisiana Brooke Dolan died at Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, in 2021 in a blaze which started in a cupboard containing a gas boiler.

An inquest in 2023 ruled the death was accidental after not being able to definitively identify the cause.

Natasha Broadley, from Newark in Nottinghamshire, said she had been assured in meetings with officials that the case would be re-examined, but has just received confirmation no charges will be forthcoming.

Ms Broadley said on the day of the fire, she raised concerns over the boiler with the caravan's owner and someone had been sent to look at it.

The accommodation also had no smoke alarm.

The mother managed to escape the caravan with three of her children, but was unable to rescue Louisiana.

She said: "I had just gone on holiday. That's what I always tell people, I had just gone on holiday. That shouldn't mean I lose my daughter.

"I was in the shower suddenly half the caravan was on fire. If there was a smoke alarm I would, I should, have had way more time to get everyone out."

Lincolnshire Police announced in August 2022 that it did not intend to bring any criminal charges over Louisiana's death.

Ms Broadley then travelled to London in June 2023 to meet then-fire minister Chris Philp and her MP, Conservative Robert Jenrick, who pledged to support a national campaign on caravan safety.

She said at the time she had "so much hope" the whole case would be reopened.

But Jenrick has now written to her to confirm criminal charges will definitely not be pursued.

He forwarded a letter from Dame Diana Ruth Johnson, Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention.

It said the case had been reviewed by police, the fire service and the Health and Safety Executive.

"Having done so they remain of the same opinion and are confident that they gave this careful consideration at all stages of the process and that every possible avenue of enquiry was pursued," Dame Diana wrote in her letter.

"While I hope this will give Ms Broadley some reassurance about the robustness of the investigations undertaken, I know in may ways it will not be the news she is hoping for."

Ms Broadley said: "I am devastated. This is not what I was promised.

"It won't stop me though, I am going to continue to campaign for justice for my girl."

Mr Jenrick said: "I'm deeply disappointed that the investigation has not led to a criminal prosecution.

"I know that this will be painful for Natasha, who deserves justice and the knowledge this couldn’t happen again.

"I will be writing to the Attorney General requesting this is reconsidered. My thoughts are with Natasha and her whole family as they continue to deal with the challenges of this truly heartbreaking tragedy.”

Ms Broadley added she had taken some comfort from the fact rules around caravan gas and fire safety had been strengthened.

"People have come up to me and said they are careful to check everything is right with their caravans now, because of what happened.

"I still feel the loss every day but Louisiana has at least made people a bit safer," she said.

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