Chaos in Bristol’s van dwelling community as caravan is destroyed in ‘arson attack’ after number of homeless living in vehicles jumps 400% to 680
Published: 11:09, 17 February 2025 | Updated: 11:41, 17 February 2025
Chaos has erupted in Bristol's van dwelling community after a caravan was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
Firefighters and police were called to the blaze on Saville Road after neighbours reported hearing explosions late on Thursday February 13.
It comes as the number of homeless[2] people living in vehicles in the city has risen by 400 per cent to 680 in the last 5 years.
A spokesperson for Avon Fire & Rescue Service said: 'Firefighters from Temple and Southmead Fire Stations were called to reports of a caravan on fire, on Saville Road, near Parrys Lane, Stoke Bishop, Bristol.
'Firefighters used hose reels and water jets to put out the fire and two firefighters wore breathing apparatus.
'They then used a thermal imaging camera to check for any hot spots to ensure the fire was out.
'Crews also worked with police on the scene to make sure everything was safe. The cause of the fire is thought to be deliberate.'
Dramatic images show the extent of the fire damage - with the caravan's charred remains sitting in a crumpled heap on the ground.
No other vehicles parked on the road were damaged and no injuries have been reported.
Avon and Somerset Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Chaos has erupted in Bristol's van dwelling community after a caravan was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
Firefighters and police were called to the blaze on Saville Road after neighbours reported hearing explosions late on Thursday February 13
It comes as the number of homeless people living in vehicles in the city has risen by 400 per cent to 680 in the last 5 years
No other vehicles parked on the road were damaged and no injuries have been reported. Avon and Somerset Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze
Bristol City Council met on Friday to discuss the future of the community.
The council estimates there are up to 680 vehicles being lived in across Bristol at locations including land next to the M32, Fishponds and The Downs.
One van-dweller, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC[3] he had no alternative as he had run out of money and had nowhere to live.
He said: 'I was living in my car when the council refused my application for a council house, so I had to do what I had to do.
'I came to Bristol because there's more work.
I'm a builder and I'm building houses that I can't afford.'
The council says it's proposing a new policy that aims to understand, support and work with the 'vehicle dweller community'.
Councillors are reviewing a report that includes a raft of recommendations to improve living conditions for people who live in vehicles.
These are thought to include proposals such as installing permanent sites and creating spaces where they can stay and use facilities like running water while they work with the authorities to find a home.
Council officers have also suggested a formal 'Vehicle Dweller Voices' group is set up to represent the needs of those living in vans.
Councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said: 'Too often, the debate around people living in vehicles has become polarised and stigmatising.
'This report is an attempt to bring new thinking to bear on the issue, charting a way forward that supports the health and wellbeing of everyone, both those living in vehicles and their housed neighbours.
'As the number of lived in vehicles in Bristol has grown significantly in recent years the council recognises the challenges this brings.
'We acknowledge that this is a complex situation, and our current approach is not sustainable.
'We know that we need to reduce the need for so many people to live in vehicles, and we remain committed to increasing the number of well-built, affordable homes in Bristol so that many more people will have a safe and secure place they can call home.'
It comes after in November, following reports from disgruntled residents, the council hatched a unique plan to prevent van dwellers from parking along the city's busy streets.
They installed large planters along one of the city's worst impacted roads.
The wooden planters were recently installed along St George's Park to prevent campers from unlawfully parking and living there.
Prior to the installation of the planters, vehicles lined the road as people turned to the alternative mode of living due to the economic and housing crises.
Back in September, Bristol City Council had issued an eviction notice to the road's motorhome inhabitants following claims of increased anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of St George's Park.
The majority of people complied with the notice within 28 days, but a number of van dwellers remained in spite of it.
References
- ^ OLIVIA ALLHUSEN (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ homeless (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ told the BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)