Following a massive fire that destroyed a 1,200-vehicle parking lot at Terminal 2 and forced the closure of the airport and flight cancellations, firefighters are still on the scene at London-Luton Airport (LTN).
Just after 8:45 p.m. local time on October 10, 2023, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) initially started receiving calls about a car fire on level three of the multi-story parking garage.
Due to the severity of the fire and the potential risk to human life, the fire department declared a major incident at 9:38 p.m.
On October 11, 2023, Luton Airport issued the most recent update, warning passengers to avoid the airport and informing them that all flights would be halted until at least 3pm.
"Our top concern continues to be the security of our customers and employees. Therefore, we have decided to halt all flights until noon on October 11th," the airport stated.
Firefighters are now dousing down any remaining flames at the location, according to BFRS.
Due to the fire's ferocity, the building's structure significantly collapsed, and all of the cars in the parking lot sustained damage as a result.
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
A member of the airport staff as well as four firefighters were sent to Luton and Dunstable Hospital, according to the East of England Ambulance Service, which was also on the scene of the fire. Another patient was treated on-site and discharged.
To put out the fire and save the Luton DART, nearby structures, vehicles, and planes, firefighting operations were carried out.
Over 100 firefighters, three aerial appliances, and 15 rescue pumps were all on the scene at once.
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
