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Luton Airport flights suspended after huge fire breaks out in terminal car park
ll flights at London Luton Airport have been suspended until at least midday on Wednesday after a fire broke out in one of its car parks.
Footage posted on social media showed flames and smoke tearing through cars parked at the airport terminal on Tuesday evening.
Firefighters and an airline official have been taken to hospital as emergency services continue to battle the blaze which broke out just before 9pm on Tuesday.
A sixth person was treated at the scene but did not require further medical treatment.
Vehicle alarms and loud explosions could be heard, with one witness saying the speed in which the blaze tore through the upper floor of the car park was “incredible”.
One witness said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it looked as though the whole car park had collapsed, while another said vehicles in the car park were exploding every few seconds.
The airport said on X just before 3am: “Emergency services continue to respond to a significant fire in Terminal Carpark 2, which has resulted in a partial structural collapse.
“All flights are suspended until 12pm on Wednesday 11th October, please contact your airline for the latest flight information.
“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted.”
The airport’s website says the car park that was on fire is new.
“Our brand new multi-story car park offering secure, on-site parking using just a five-minute walk to the terminal entrance,” the website says.
Those who had a car parked in the building or a future booking were told to email Luton Airport customer services.
Russell Taylor, 41, an account director from Kinross in Scotland, saw the flames after flying in to Luton Airport from Edinburgh.
He said: “There were a couple of fire engines with a car ablaze on the upper floor of the car park at just after 9pm.
“A few minutes later most of the upper floor was alight, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from cars going up in flames.
“The speed in which the fire took hold was incredible.”
The East of England Ambulance said paramedics have taken five people suffering from smoke inhalation to hospital for treatment.
