Car park fire shuts down London airport

A diesel-powered car has been linked to a fire which shut down Luton Airport in London, causing damage to hundreds of vehicles in a multi-storey car park.

A blaze reportedly sparked by a diesel-powered car suspended flights in and out of London’s Luton Airport earlier this week, with hundreds of vehicles understood to be destroyed by the inferno.

As reported by UK news outlet ITV, the fire started on the third level of Luton Airport’s Terminal Two car park at approximately 8:45pm on Tuesday night, with a diesel car believed to be the source of the blaze.

Videos uploaded to social media platforms – such as X (formerly Twitter) – appear to show the fire coming from a Range Rover Sport, leading some online commentators to speculate if the SUV was a diesel-hybrid model.

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 diesel hybrid was available in the previous-generation Range Rover Sport line-up, however it is unclear if the vehicle shown is the hybrid model – which would have a larger battery pack than regular models in the range.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s chief officer, Andy Hopkinson, told the news outlet the car park was not equipped with sprinklers or a fire suppression system, leaving firefighters to battle the blaze with 15 fire trucks.

While there is no official figure on how many vehicles were burnt as a result of the fire, ITV reports “hundreds of cars may have been damaged”. A part of the car park collapsed due to structural damage.

Crews have controlled and extinguished the fire at Luton Airport. Four crews and an aerial appliance remain at the scene. All flights are suspended until 3pm. If you have a flight leaving before 3pm, please do not travel. Please avoid the area owing to severe traffic delays. pic.twitter.com/ji5HR1Qmug

— Beds Fire and Rescue (@BedsFire) October 11, 2023

According to Mr Hopkinson, four fire crew members were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, with three since safely discharged.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun, following the resumption of flights and services at Luton Airport on Wednesday afternoon, UK time.

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