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) first started receiving calls about a car fire on level three of the multi-storey 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, informing travelers to avoid the airport and informing them that all flights would be suspended until at least 3 p.m.
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
“The safety of our passengers and staff remains our main priority. We have therefore taken the decision to suspend all flights until noon on Wednesday 11 October,” the airport said.
Firefighters are currently dousing down any remaining flames at the scene, according to BFRS.
Due to the fire’s severity, the building’s structure significantly collapsed, and all of the cars in the parking lot sustained damage as a result.
A member of the airport staff as well as four firefighters were transported 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.
The aftermath of the Luton Airport fire. You can see where the car park has completely collapsed inside.
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
— Matthew Thompson (@mattuthompson) October 11, 2023
To put out the fire and safeguard the Luton DART, nearby structures, vehicles, and aircraft, firefighting operations were carried out.
Over 100 firefighters, three aerial appliances, and 15 rescue pumps were all on the scene at once.
