Luton Airport Fire: Cause And Investigation

On 10 October 2023, a fire broke out in a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport, causing a partial collapse of the structure and the destruction of more than 1,400 vehicles. The blaze, which started in a moving diesel vehicle, was tackled by over 100 firefighters and saw aircraft grounded until the following day. An investigation into the incident found that the fire started accidentally due to an electrical fault or component failure in the engine of the diesel-powered car.

The fire was caused by an electrical fault or component failure in a moving diesel vehicle

On October 10, 2023, a massive fire broke out in Terminal Car Park 2 at Luton Airport, destroying more than 1,400 vehicles. The fire caused the cancellation or disruption of thousands of flights and affected over 30,000 passengers. It also led to the partial collapse of the car park structure.

An investigation by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Bedfordshire Police revealed that the most probable cause of the fire was an electrical fault or component failure in a moving diesel vehicle. The fire started in the engine bay of the vehicle, and despite the owner's attempts to fight it, the flames rapidly spread to other components and nearby parked vehicles.

CCTV footage captured a Range Rover Sport entering the car park with smoke coming from the bonnet. By the time it reached the third floor, flames were visible. Electrical faults with the 12-volt battery system are the most common cause of car fires, according to experts. While diesel is less flammable than petrol, it can still ignite under intense pressure or sustained flame.

The fire service's spokeswoman commented on the investigation's findings: "All evidence points to the most probable cause being an electrical fault or component failure, which started in the engine bay of the vehicle whilst it was in motion. The developing fire spread to other components, and whilst the owner of the vehicle attempted to fight the fire, the vehicle became overrun with flames and spread to other parked vehicles."

The incident has highlighted the importance of fire prevention measures in car parks. Sprinklers, for example, could have potentially mitigated the impact of the fire at Luton Airport. As a result, discussions are underway to ensure that existing and future car parks at the airport are fitted with sprinklers.

The blaze started in the engine bay of a car in Terminal Car Park 2

On October 10, 2023, a massive fire broke out in Terminal Car Park 2 at Luton Airport, destroying more than 1,400 vehicles. The blaze started in the engine bay of a car in the car park and rapidly spread to other vehicles, causing a partial collapse of the structure.

CCTV footage showed a Range Rover Sport driving into the car park at 8:42 pm, with smoke coming from the bonnet. By the time the car reached the third floor, flames were visible. The driver of the car attempted to put out the fire using two fire extinguishers and alerted the fire brigade. However, the fire quickly spread to other components and then to other parked vehicles.

The fire service conducted a joint investigation with the police and concluded that the most probable cause of the blaze was an electrical fault or component failure in the engine bay of the moving diesel vehicle. This conclusion was supported by the AA's technical expert, Greg Carter, who stated that electrical faults with the 12-volt battery system are the most common cause of car fires.

The fire caused significant disruption, with aircraft grounded until the following day and between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers affected by cancelled, suspended, or diverted flights. The car park suffered a structural collapse, and the site required safe clearance and demolition. Luton Rising, the Luton Borough Council company that owns the airport, worked closely with the operator and emergency support to ensure a return to business as usual as quickly as possible.

The fire spread to other vehicles, causing a partial collapse of the car park structure

A fire that broke out in a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport in October 2023 destroyed hundreds of vehicles and caused a partial collapse of the car park structure. The fire, which started in the engine bay of a moving diesel vehicle, was determined to be accidental, with the likely cause attributed to an electrical fault or component failure.

The blaze rapidly escalated, with flames spreading across multiple floors of the car park. More than 100 firefighters tackled the fire, which saw aircraft grounded until the following day. The intense heat and flames caused the car park structure to partially collapse, with issues of water access and pressure hindering firefighting efforts.

The fire originated in a Range Rover Sport, which was captured on CCTV driving into Terminal Car Park 2. Smoke was seen coming from the bonnet upon entry, and by the time the vehicle reached the third floor, flames were visible. Despite the driver's attempts to extinguish the fire, it spread to other components and then to other parked vehicles.

The fire caused significant disruption, affecting the journeys of over 30,000 passengers and resulting in the cancellation or diversion of numerous flights. The car park suffered extensive damage, with structural collapse and the destruction of more than 1,400 vehicles. The aftermath included a lengthy recovery and investigation process, with a full incident report expected to be published.

The incident highlighted the importance of fire prevention measures in car parks, with discussions on implementing sprinklers to enhance safety. The partial collapse of the car park structure at Luton Airport underscores the destructive nature of fires and the challenges faced by emergency services in containing them.

Firefighters faced difficulties accessing the car park and controlling the fire

Firefighters faced significant challenges when responding to the Luton Airport car park fire, which broke out on 10 October 2023. The fire, which started in a moving diesel vehicle inside the Terminal Car Park 2, rapidly escalated, destroying more than 1,400 vehicles and causing a partial collapse of the car park structure.

One of the main difficulties firefighters encountered was accessing the car park. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters from Luton and Stopsley attempted to enter the car park via the northeast stairwell, but they were unable to unlock the door as a key was required. This delay in accessing the car park allowed the fire to spread and intensify.

Additionally, issues with water access and pressure hindered firefighting efforts. Despite using multiple rescue pumps and an aerial platform, firefighters reported that the application of water was not having the desired effect. The high temperatures and rapidly increasing heat added to the challenges, with one firefighter describing feeling "cooked".

The fire spread quickly, engulfing multiple floors of the car park and causing structural damage. This posed further challenges for firefighters in navigating the unstable structure while battling the blaze. The fire also resulted in the cancellation or disruption of hundreds of flights, affecting between 30,000 and 50,000 passengers.

The scale and intensity of the fire required a significant response, with over 100 firefighters, 15 fire appliances, and three specialist aerial appliances involved at the peak of the incident. Firefighters from neighbouring counties and London also provided support. Despite their best efforts, the fire caused extensive damage, and the car park was deemed unsound and required full demolition.

While the immediate fire was tackled, the aftermath and recovery process was also challenging. Fire crews continued to monitor the car park for hotspots and ensured that any remaining fires were extinguished. The investigation into the cause of the fire concluded that it was accidental, likely due to an electrical fault or component failure in the engine bay of the diesel vehicle.

The incident caused major travel disruptions, with thousands of passengers affected

The fire at Luton Airport caused significant travel disruptions, affecting thousands of passengers and leading to flight cancellations, delays, and diversions. The blaze broke out in Terminal Car Park 2, destroying more than 1,400 vehicles and causing the airport to temporarily close.

At its peak, the fire was tackled by over 100 firefighters, with additional support from surrounding counties and London. The fire also spread across multiple floors of the car park, causing a partial collapse of the structure. This resulted in the airport's closure until at least 12 pm the following day, with flights resuming at 3.01 pm.

The fire disrupted travel plans for an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 passengers. More than 150 flights were cancelled, and 27 arrivals were diverted to other airports across the UK, including Cardiff, Liverpool, and Manchester. Many other flights faced delays, leaving passengers stranded and seeking alternative arrangements.

The airport operator worked closely with Luton Rising and the borough council to facilitate the recovery process and ensure a swift return to normal operations. They also provided support to affected customers, responding to approximately 16,500 queries and assisting those whose vehicles were damaged or stranded in the car park.

The incident highlighted the importance of fire prevention measures, with discussions taking place regarding the installation of sprinklers in existing and future car parks to mitigate the impact of potential future incidents.

Frequently asked questions