On Tuesday, October 10, a fire broke out in a parking garage at London Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom. Thousands of passengers’ plans were disrupted because of the fire. The airport has reopened, which is good news.
The fire started in a parking garage of multiple stories at London’s Luton Airport. Every year, millions of people pass through the international terminal. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s first head, Andrew Hopkinson, informed reporters that they suspect a diesel car started the blaze. Electric car speculation was shot down, he said.
“We don’t believe it was an electric vehicle,” Hopkinson said. He said they think it started with the diesel, then spread really quickly through the parking lot. However, everything is just speculation at this point.
The blaze broke out on the third floor of the parking garage at around 8:50 p.m. local time. All planes were grounded until the next day at 3 p.m. Flyers were warned to avoid the airport because access was “severely restricted.” Those who were stuck at the airport had to sleep on the floor until flights resumed.
There were over a hundred firefighters and fifteen fire trucks sent to the area to put out the fire. The London Fire Brigade was joined by units from Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire. Four firefighters and two civilians were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire may have damaged up to 1,200 vehicles, according to the authorities. The structure of the garage was compromised.
According to Hopkinson, there was no sprinkler system to help put out the blaze. He now thinks that it would have been a good idea. The frightening fire disrupted the plans of some 25,000 people. Those who have lost their cars must now take the additional step of working with their insurers to get compensation. Those affected are encouraged to get in touch with their insurance companies.
