Brighton: One of caravans in Wilson Avenue catches fire

Emergency services were called to Wilson Avenue in Brighton at around 2am today, March 19.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service reported that the crew battled the blaze before leaving the scene shortly after 3am.

The incident has been handed over to Sussex Police.

Pictures show the caravan gutted and blackened by fire on the side of the road. 

Several vehicles remain parked in Wilson Avenue surrounded by rubbish.

Brighton and Hove City Council served those living in the caravans with a direction to leave.

The caravan caught fire in the early hours of the morning (Image: Supplied) Councillor Gill Williams, cabinet member for housing and new homes, said the council is aware of the persistent issue and said the local authority’s teams regularly check the vehicles.

“The vehicles on Wilson Avenue are regularly monitored by our team and where they are deemed to be lived in, notices are served instructing people to leave”, said Cllr Williams.

“This has happened recently, with notices served on a number of vehicles.

The row of caravans last week (Image: Eddie Mitchell) “We always take a welfare-first approach to anyone we are engaging with who is living in a vehicle and attempt to support them into alternative accommodation.

“The issue of vehicles in this area is something the council is aware of but often when enforcement takes place to move the vehicles from Wilson Avenue, it is not uncommon for new vehicles to appear in the space left behind, causing processes to re-start.

“We would encourage any residents concerned by people living in vehicles on Wilson Avenue to contact us directly via our website.”

Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council have been approached for further information.