Lois Larson
On 10 October 2023, a fire broke out in a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport, the UK's fifth-largest airport. The blaze started in a moving diesel vehicle and rapidly spread to other vehicles, destroying more than 1,400 cars and causing significant disruption to flights and passengers. The fire was later deemed accidental, with investigations pointing to an electrical fault or component failure as the most probable cause. This incident has brought attention to the importance of fire prevention measures in airport car parks, including the installation of sprinklers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | 10 October 2023, around 20:45 BST |
| Location | Terminal Car Park 2, Luton Airport |
| Cause | Accidental, likely an electrical fault or component failure in a moving diesel vehicle |
| Impact | Destroyed over 1,400 vehicles, disrupted over 30,000 passengers, cancelled/diverted flights |
| Firefighting Response | Over 100 firefighters, 15 fire appliances, 3 specialist aerial appliances |
| Airport Impact | Grounded aircraft until the following day, airport closure until at least 12 pm the next day |
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What You'll Learn
The fire was accidental
A fire that broke out in a multi-storey car park at Luton Airport in October 2023 was started accidentally, an investigation by Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has found.
The fire, which started at about 20:45 BST on 10 October, destroyed more than 1,400 vehicles and saw aircraft grounded until the following day as a precaution. At its peak, more than 100 firefighters, 15 fire appliances, and three specialist aerial appliances were involved in tackling the blaze.
The investigation concluded that the fire broke out in the engine bay of a moving diesel vehicle parked in the car park. The likely cause has been attributed to an electrical fault or component failure, which occurred while the vehicle was in motion. The fire then spread to other components and subsequently to other parked vehicles.
The owner of the vehicle attempted to fight the fire, but it rapidly escalated and became "overrun with flames". The fire service spokeswoman said: "As a result of the investigation, 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."
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It started in a diesel car
On 10 October 2023, a fire broke out in the Terminal Car Park 2 building at Luton Airport. The blaze started at about 20:45 BST and rapidly spread, causing significant damage and disruption. More than 1,400 vehicles were destroyed, and the fire's intensity led to the collapse of a portion of the car park structure.
The fire service declared a major incident, with over 100 firefighters, 15 fire appliances, and three specialist aerial appliances deployed to tackle the blaze. The airport was closed, and flights were grounded until the following day as a precaution. The fire caused significant travel disruption, affecting between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers and resulting in the cancellation, diversion, or delay of hundreds of flights.
The car park's structural integrity was compromised, with around 80% of the third floor damaged by the fire. Water access and pressure issues further hindered firefighting efforts. The airport remained closed until at least 12 pm the next day, and Luton Rising, the Luton Borough Council company that owns the airport, worked closely with the operator and emergency services to ensure a swift return to normal operations.
The incident raised questions about fire prevention measures in airport car parks. Bedfordshire Chief Fire Officer Andy Hopkinson emphasised the importance of installing sprinklers, stating that they "may have made a positive impact" on the situation. Luton Rising chair Javeria Hussain assured the public that discussions were already underway with the airport regarding fire safety enhancements.
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The blaze spread to other vehicles
The blaze at Luton Airport started in a diesel vehicle in Terminal Car Park 2 at about 8:45 pm BST on 10 October 2023. The fire was caused by an electrical fault or component failure while the vehicle was in motion. The owner of the vehicle tried to fight the fire, but it rapidly spread to other components and then to other parked vehicles.
Within 15 minutes, the fire had spread to three other vehicles on the western side of the northern end of the car park. At its peak, the fire involved more than 100 firefighters, 15 fire appliances, and three specialist aerial appliances. The fire service declared a major incident as 80% of the third floor of the car park was on fire.
The fire caused significant disruption to flights and passengers at Luton Airport. More than 150 flights were cancelled, and 27 arrivals were diverted to other airports. Many other flights were delayed, affecting an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 passengers.
The car park structure was also significantly damaged, with issues related to water access and pressure. A temporary ramp was set up to remove undamaged vehicles, but Luton Airport stated that it was unlikely any vehicles in the car park would be salvageable.
The airport closure was expected to last until at least noon the following day, with flights resuming in the afternoon. An investigation into the cause and spread of the fire was initiated.
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Fire prevention measures
On 10 October 2023, a major fire broke out at London Luton Airport's Terminal Car Park 2. The fire, which started from a diesel-powered vehicle, rapidly spread through the car park, leading to a structural collapse and the destruction of multiple vehicles. Over 100 firefighters worked to control the fire, which caused widespread disruption, including the cancellation of flights and the rerouting of arrivals to other airports.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, several fire prevention measures can be implemented:
- Installation of Sprinkler Systems: One of the key recommendations following the Luton Airport fire is the installation of sprinkler systems in multi-storey car parks. Sprinkler systems can help delay the progression of a fire, providing valuable time for firefighting efforts and potentially minimizing damage. While current regulations do not mandate sprinklers in open-sided multi-storey car parks, the incident at Luton Airport highlights the need for reevaluating these regulations.
- Enhanced Fire Safety Measures: The increasing size and plastic content of modern cars contribute to larger and faster-spreading fires. To address this challenge, fire safety regulations should be revisited and updated to include more robust precautions in the construction of car parks. This includes considering the unique challenges posed by electric vehicles, which can produce intense horizontal flames that can quickly ignite adjacent vehicles and lead to structural failure.
- Regular Fire Safety Training: All staff and personnel should receive comprehensive fire safety training to recognize fire hazards and respond effectively in an emergency. This includes knowing the location and operation of fire extinguishers, alarms, and other fire safety equipment. Regular drills and simulations can help ensure a swift and coordinated response in the event of a real fire.
- Improved Vehicle Fire Safety: With vehicle fires being a significant concern, as highlighted by the Luton Airport incident, there is a need to enhance vehicle fire safety measures. This includes regular vehicle maintenance to identify and address potential fire hazards, such as electrical faults or component failures. Additionally, equipping vehicles with fire suppression systems can help contain or extinguish fires before they spread.
- Robust Emergency Response Plans: Airports and other large infrastructure should have well-defined and regularly updated emergency response plans. These plans should outline clear procedures for fire detection, containment, and evacuation. By conducting regular reviews and simulations, any gaps or deficiencies in the plans can be identified and addressed promptly.
- Fire-Resistant Construction Materials: When designing and constructing car parks and other infrastructure, fire-resistant materials should be prioritized. This includes the use of fire-resistant coatings, insulation, and building materials that can help slow down the spread of fire and provide more time for evacuation and firefighting efforts.
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The airport's recovery
Luton Airport, the UK's fifth-largest airport, witnessed a major fire incident in October 2023, which disrupted the journeys of approximately 30,000 passengers and resulted in the destruction of over 1,400 vehicles in the airport's car park. The fire was determined to be accidental, originating from a diesel vehicle due to an electrical fault or component failure while it was in motion.
The fire caused significant damage and disruption, but Luton Airport swiftly entered recovery mode to restore operations. The airport coordinated with various agencies and stakeholders to manage the situation and ensure a return to business as usual.
Immediate Actions:
- Closure and Evacuation: The airport terminal and surrounding areas were closed off, and a temporary ramp was set up to remove undamaged vehicles from the car park.
- Firefighting and Containment: Fire crews from multiple locations, totalling over 100 firefighters, worked tirelessly to contain the blaze. They faced challenges with water access and pressure but successfully prevented further escalation.
- Customer Support: Luton Airport and its parking provider, APCOA, responded to nearly 16,500 customer queries after the incident, providing support and assistance to affected passengers.
- Temporary Accommodations: Passengers whose journeys were disrupted were accommodated as much as possible. For example, a Polish family who slept in the terminal building during the delay shared their experience.
Medium-Term Recovery:
- Flight Resumption: Flights resumed at Luton Airport within a day or two of the fire, with 273 flights affected by cancellations, diversions, or delays.
- Structural Repairs: The airport operator, in collaboration with Luton Rising and the borough council, undertook a recovery operation to repair the damaged car park structure and ensure its safety.
- Fire Prevention Measures: Discussions were initiated with the airport regarding the implementation of fire prevention measures, including the installation of sprinklers in existing and future car parks.
Long-Term Improvements:
- Enhanced Fire Safety: Luton Airport has likely implemented and continues to implement enhanced fire safety measures and protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- Increased Resilience: The airport has likely reviewed and strengthened its emergency response plans, ensuring better preparedness for potential future crises.
- Improved Customer Support: The airport has probably also reflected on its customer support strategies during and after the incident, aiming to provide more efficient and effective assistance to affected passengers.
The recovery process at Luton Airport involved a collaborative effort from various agencies and a strong commitment to restoring operations and enhancing safety measures. While the incident caused significant disruption, the airport's swift response and resilience contributed to its recovery and the resumption of normal services.
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Frequently asked questions
The fire at Luton Airport started accidentally in a moving diesel vehicle inside the terminal car park.
The fire was caused by an electrical fault or component failure in the engine bay of the vehicle.
There were about 1,500 vehicles in the 1,900-capacity car park at the time of the fire.
More than 1,400 vehicles were destroyed by the fire.
More than 273 flights were cancelled, diverted, or delayed due to the fire, affecting between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers.
