Tributes paid to woman killed in caravan fire

Emergency services were called to the caravan at Thornfield, next to the East Coast Main Line, south of Torness Power Station, at about 2.35am.

However, the body of a woman was found in the caravan.

A number of pets – believed to be dogs – are thought to have died in the fire as well.

Flowers and poignant notes were pinned to a fence near the remains of the caravan, with the woman, thought to be in her late 40s or early 50s, named locally as Julie Melville.

One note read: “Rest in peace Julie, Meesha, Diesel, Jock, Trim, Rosie. Such a tragedy, you will never be far from our thoughts.”

Another reads: “You’ve been a great friend of the family for years. Thoughts are with the family and friends of Julie at this time.”

Finally, one reads: “Jules, really can’t believe you’ve gone. Rest in peace with your babies. We will miss you so much.”

Donna Collins, of East Lammermuir Community Council, also paid tribute to Julie, who had lived in the caravan for about 15 years.

She said: “She was lovely and would do anything for anybody.

“She was a really nice lass, hard-working and she was just down to earth.”

Rhoda Paton, from the nearby Edinburgh and Lothian Pet Crematorium, was “absolutely shocked” by what had happened and told the Courier: “She just lived and breathed her animals.”

David Girrity is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s group manager for prevention and protection in East Lothian.

He said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 2.33am on Saturday to reports of a caravan fire in East Lothian.

“Operations Control mobilised three fire engines to a site near the town of Dunbar, where crews extinguished the fire.

“Sadly, a woman was found to have passed away at the scene.

“Our thoughts are with all of those who are affected at this time.

“A joint investigation between SFRS and Police Scotland will be carried out in due course.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland told the Courier: “Police in East Lothian were called to a report of a caravan on fire just off the A1 at Innerwick, near Dunbar, around 2.35am on Saturday.

“Emergency services attended and when the fire was extinguished, sadly the body of a woman was found within.  “Police Scotland are following a positive line of inquiry in relation to identification pending further forensic investigations.

“A joint investigation is also ongoing with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service into the cause of the fire but the death is believed to be non-suspicious. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”