The allure of the open road and the promise of adventure often beckon Australians to explore the vast beauty of their country. Caravanning has become a popular way to answer that call, offering the freedom to travel and the comforts of home in one. However, as one young couple recently discovered, this dream can turn into a nightmare in the blink of an eye.
Isabelle and her partner Dave set out on what was supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. After months of meticulous planning, their journey was cut tragically short just four days in, when their caravan became engulfed in flames at a popular camping spot on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
The 28-year-old content creator and her partner looked forward to their road trip. It was meant to be a ‘fresh start’ following the loss of their business due to a financial dispute with an interstate company, which, despite winning a legal battle, left them with nothing when the company was found to have no assets.
‘We chose to turn that hardship into something positive by embarking on a trip in our caravan, only for this to happen… We had spent months planning our dream trip, and only a few days in, disaster struck,’ said Isabelle.
Their caravan, packed with $25,000 worth of belongings including cameras, a drone, a Starlink satellite, jewellery, passports, kitchen appliances, fishing and surfing gear, and sentimental items, was reduced to ashes.
@the.tiser This couple were only four days into a ‘dream trip’ around Australia when a mysterious fire destroyed their caravan with all of their belongings inside 💔 An Adelaide couple have lost everything after a devastating fire tore through their caravan as they set off on a six-month lap of Australia. Isabelle Scherrer and her partner Dave were just four days into their caravanning holiday when disaster struck on the Eyre Peninsula. “While reversing the van I got out to help direct and suddenly noticed smoke and heard the fire alarm go off,” Ms Scherrer said. The 28-year-old, who works as a content creator, said she saw thick smoke coming out of a vent above the caravan front door, and quickly unhooked their car and evacuated their three dogs Lucy, Buddy and Axel as Dave tried to fight the fire. 👉 Read more: @the.tiser link in bio #caravanlife #fire #southaustralia ♬ original sound – The Advertiser
The couple’s insurance policy covered the caravan itself but only covered $1,000 for contents, leaving them with a significant financial loss.
The incident unfolded rapidly as Isabelle helped Dave reverse the caravan into place. She noticed smoke billowing out and heard the fire alarm. While Dave tried to extinguish the flames, Isabelle unhooked their car and evacuated their three dogs. Despite their efforts, they could only watch as their possessions burned.
‘The smoke was overwhelming, and it was too dangerous to be inside the van with no visibility… We managed to remove the gas bottles before calling 000, but all we could do was watch as everything we owned burned to the ground,’ she recalled.
In the aftermath, the couple sifted through the debris, finding only a burnt passport and a Valentine’s Day photo album. They have since turned to the kindness of strangers, setting up an online fundraising campaign to help rebuild their lives.
Despite the tragedy, Isabelle said they are ‘staying strong and grateful that we and our pups are safe.’
This tragedy is not an isolated incident. Earlier in the month, another family lost their $175,000 caravan to a fire caused by lithium-ion batteries at the Auburn Community Caravan Park in South Australia.
These incidents highlight the risks associated with caravan travel, particularly the use of lithium-ion batteries, which are known for being energy-dense but can pose a fire hazard if not used correctly.
Caravanners are generally advised to use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo) batteries, which are better suited to the demands of caravan power systems.
Despite this, some choose lithium-ion batteries for various reasons, such as charging e-mobility devices. However, leaving these batteries unattended is discouraged due to the risk of fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell has warned that lithium-ion fires are on the rise nationally, urging people to take precautions and avoid unnecessary risks: ‘Please, heed our advice. Lithium-ion fires are happening … almost every day.’
As we reflect on Isabelle and Dave’s harrowing experience, it’s a sobering reminder to all who embrace the caravanning lifestyle to review their safety measures and insurance policies.
We invite our readers to share their own experiences with caravan safety and any advice they may have for fellow travellers. Your insights could help prevent another such tragedy and ensure that the dream of the open road remains a safe and joyful pursuit for all.
Do you have a story tip or personal experience to share? Feel free to share them with the YourLifeChoices community in the comments below.
Also read: Safety concerns for caravan owners: A close look at roadworthy issues on Aussie highways
