Firefighters still remain at London-Luton Airport (LTN) after a huge fire ripped through a 1,200-vehicle car park at Terminal 2 which caused the closure of the airport and cancelation of flights.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) first received calls regarding a car fire on level three of the multi-storey car park just after 8:45 pm local time on October 10, 2023.
At 9.38 pm the fire brigade declared a major incident due to the ferocity of the blaze and risk to human life.
In the latest update from Luton Airport on October 11, 2023, passengers were told to not travel to the airport and that all flights would be suspended until at least 3pm.
“The safety of our passengers and staff remains our main priority. We have therefore taken the decision to suspend all flights until noon on Wednesday 11 October,” the airport said.
BFRS confirmed that firefighters are currently at the scene dampening down what remains of the fire.
Efforts are still ongoing to extinguish a serious fire at Luton Airport. We are continuing to protect surrounding airport infrastructure, vehicles and the Luton DART. For anyone whose travel plans may be affected, please refer to the advice being provided by London Luton Airport. pic.twitter.com/tNFo4hvRdX
— Beds Fire and Rescue (@BedsFire) October 11, 2023
The severity of the fire caused significant structural collapse and all vehicles in the car park have subsequently been damaged due to the blaze.
East of England Ambulance Service also attended the fire and confirmed that four firefighters and one member of airport staff were taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital. One other patient was discharged at-scene.
The aftermath of the Luton Airport fire. You can see where the car park has completely collapsed inside.
— Matthew Thompson (@mattuthompson) October 11, 2023
Early indications are that it was a car fire that spread. As many as 1,200 vehicles were in the car park at the time. pic.twitter.com/3MJcHbTwXj
Firefighting operations were undertaken to control the blaze and protect nearby buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and the Luton DART.
At its peak there were 15 rescue pumps, three aerial appliances and over 100 firefighters on the scene.
