A father and his 10-year-old daughter have tragically died in a devastating caravan fire at the Golden Beach Holiday Park on the Lincolnshire coast.

The victims have been named as Lee Baker, 48, and his daughter Esme Baker. The fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday, April 5, marking the first day of the Easter school holidays in the area.

Heartbreaking Family Tribute

In a statement released through the police, the family said:
Lee and Esme were excited to be spending the first weekend of the holidays together. We are all utterly devastated at what’s happened. This loss is incomprehensible at the moment, and we ask for people to give us space to process this utterly heartbreaking loss.”

Friends and family have described Lee and Esme as “two peas in a pod,” always happy and full of life. An online GoFundMe page has been set up by a local bar owner to support the family, describing them as “happy-go-lucky people who loved life.

Community Reaction

Tributes have poured in online, with one friend writing:
Love you all, sleep well Esme, you beautiful girl.

Jack Price, a worker at the Sandancer pub adjacent to the caravan park, said:
“They weren’t just customers to us. Everyone behind the bar knew them. They came in every weekend. It was always a handshake, a hug, and ‘see you tomorrow.’”

Ongoing Investigation

Emergency services, including fire crews from Skegness, Wainfleet, Spilsby, and Alford, were called to the site at around 3:53 am on Saturday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and police are working closely with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

Detective Inspector Lee Nixon of Lincolnshire Police said:
“We believe we might be close to arriving at a working hypothesis. The intensity of the fire has made this task incredibly challenging, but we are committed to finding answers for the family.”

Dan Moss, area manager for prevention and protection at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, added:
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family at this time. Our Fire Investigation Team is working with colleagues from Lincolnshire Police, and a full investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Community Support

The owners of Golden Beach Holiday Park expressed their deepest sympathies, stating:
On behalf of everyone at Golden Beach Holiday Park, we would like to send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends affected by today’s tragic events.

Past Tragedy in Ingoldmells

This tragic incident comes nearly three years after another fatal caravan fire at Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, which claimed the life of two-year-old Louisiana Brooke Dolan. That fire, caused by a suspected faulty boiler, remains etched in the community’s memory.

Power Outages and Safety Measures

The National Grid confirmed that power was disconnected in the area, affecting around 50 customers, to facilitate the investigation. Local authorities have asked the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work safely.

The community remains in shock as friends and neighbors come to terms with the loss of Lee and Esme Baker, remembered fondly for their joyful spirits and close bond. A charity night is planned to celebrate their lives, with details to be announced.