ALL flights at Luton Airport have been suspended after 1,200 vehicles were destroyed when a major fire caused a car park to collapse.
Flames ripped through Luton’s Terminal 2 car park as tourists looked on in horror and firefighters battled the inferno into the early hours of the morning.
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Hundreds of cars were ravaged by flames at Luton Airport on Tuesday nightCredit: LNP
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The multi-storey car park was engulfed in flamesCredit: LNP
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All flights scheduled to depart from the airport have been suspendedCredit: LNP
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Hundreds of cars were destroyed in the fire
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Firefighters battle a fire at London’s Luton AirportCredit: AFP
Four firefighters and an airport staff member were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, and another firefighter was treated at the scene.
The airport was closed and passengers were urged to stay away as all incoming flights were diverted.
Flights have been canceled since the fire broke out at around 9pm and are expected to resume around midday on Wednesday.
In a 3am statement, the airport said: “Emergency services continue to respond to a significant fire in the Terminal 2 car park, which has resulted in a partial collapse of the structure.
Were you affected by the fire at Luton Airport? Has your car been in this parking lot? Email [email protected]
“All flights are suspended until 12 noon on Wednesday. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time.”
Passengers already on the planes were forced to disembark as more than 100 firefighters, three specialist aerial units and 15 fire engines were called to the scene.
Late last night, the top floor of the car park collapsed, destroying hundreds of motorbikes parked on the lower levels.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the building had suffered “significant structural collapse” as firefighters were still trying to tackle the blaze at 3.57am.
As many as 1,200 vehicles parked in the parking lot, which is a 5-minute walk from the entrance to the terminal, could have been damaged.
Thick black smoke billowed from the building as footage captured several large explosions and car alarms.
Russell Taylor, 41, a business executive from Kinross, Scotland, saw the flames after flying into Luton Airport from Edinburgh.
He said: “There were a number of fire engines with a car on fire on the top floor of the car park shortly after 9pm.
“A few minutes later most of the top floor was in flames, car alarms were going off with loud explosions from the burning cars.
“The speed with which the fire took hold was unbelievable.”
A spokesman for the brigade said: “One half of the structure is fully engulfed in fire and the building has suffered significant structural collapse.
“Fire crews are working to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighboring buildings and vehicles on the airside of the airport.”
Describing the car park, Luton Airport’s website said: “Our brand new multi-storey car park offers secure on-site parking with just a five-minute walk to the terminal entrance.”
DO NOT TRAVEL
Passengers were told not to travel to the airport.
And all incoming easyJet, Whiz and Ryanair flights have been diverted to Stansted, Birmingham and East Midlands airports.
Passengers were scheduled to land from destinations including Geneva, Dublin, Paris, Ibiza and Rhodes.
The horrific fire is believed to have started when a car caught fire.
The flames, fanned by the wind, quickly spread to dozens of other vehicles.
A spokesman for Luton Airport said last night: “All flights are currently suspended as emergency services respond to a fire in the Terminal 2 car park.
“Access to the airport is restricted and we ask people not to travel to the airport at this time.”
Around four firefighters and one member of airport staff were hospitalised, according to a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS).
Meanwhile, airport buses and vehicles were “trapped” as the road that runs alongside Car Park 2 was blocked.
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) revealed that the “critical incident” ended at around midnight.
They added: “We remain on the scene to support fellow firefighters and rescuers.
“Four firefighters and one member of airport staff were taken to Luton & Dunstable Hospital. Another patient was discharged at the scene.”
A spokesman previously said: “Ambulances are at the scene and more resources, including a hazardous area emergency response team, are on their way.
“One citizen and six firefighters died from smoke inhalation.”
A spokesman for Luton Airport revealed that all flights had been suspended and access to the terminal was restricted.
They added: “All flights are currently suspended as emergency services respond to a car fire that has spread in the Terminal 2 car park.
“Access to the airport is currently restricted and we ask people not to travel to the airport at this time.
“Additional staff are ready to assist passengers.
“Passengers should stay in touch with their airline for flight information. Further updates will follow.”
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Passersby reported an intense orange glow and heat emanating from the parking lotCredit: LNP
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Passengers were evacuated Credit: LNP
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Multiple fire crews on sceneCredit: LNP
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Dozens of flights were diverted
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Flames could be seen from the runway rising above the airport buildingCredit: PA
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The parking lot collapsed after being ravaged by flames Credit: Reuters
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Shocked onlookers looked on Credit: Twitter – Molly Bullard
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Firefighters have been called in to battle the blazeCredit: Reuters
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