A severe fire occurred on October 10, 2023, at the multi-story parking structure of London Luton Airport’s Terminal 2. This caused notable travel interruptions and several injuries. Luton Airport, approximately 35 miles from downtown London, is a significant transit center for a vast number of passengers.
Investigations point to the fire’s inception around 9 pm from a diesel-powered vehicle situated on the upper level of the garage. With no sprinkler system in place, the fire rapidly expanded to nearby vehicles, further escalating the situation. Videos captured during the event provide a clear depiction of the fire’s magnitude.
One traveler, fresh from a Scotland flight, provided a firsthand account. Initially, fire brigades were seen addressing a vehicle’s fire, but in a short span, a large portion of the upper floor was aflame. The sounds of vehicle alarms, combined with recurrent blasts, amplified the seriousness of the situation.
The aftermath of this event required hospital care for four firefighters and an airport worker due to smoke exposure. Another person was treated for minor injuries directly at the scene. The fire had a pronounced effect on air travel; 140 flights were cancelled the same day, while 17 others were sent to different airports, impacting nearly 25,000 travelers.
Significant structural damages were observed in the garage, and early assessments indicated possible damage or total loss of up to 1,200 cars. The swift escalation of the fire and its resulting explosions were unexpected and concerning for many, including those traveling and the airport’s workforce. While authorities have determined the fire was accidental in nature, the lack of a garage sprinkler system is under scrutiny.
By the following Wednesday afternoon, the fire was successfully contained.
