LONDON: In the early hours of Wednesday, a fire erupted in a parking structure at a London airport, leading to a partial collapse of the facility. As a result of the incident, five individuals have been hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.
Luton Airport took swift action by suspending all flights until noon in response to the fire, as announced on the airport’s official social media platform.
Among those hospitalized for smoke inhalation, five included firefighters and an airline official, while a sixth individual received on-site medical treatment. Videos circulating on social media and various British news outlets showcased police and fire department vehicles congregating outside a multi-story parking structure, with the top level ablaze in orange flames.
The affected parking structure, designed to serve Terminal 2 and recently constructed, experienced a partial collapse following the fire’s outbreak around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. In light of the ongoing situation, the airport issued a call to potential passengers to avoid the area due to access restrictions.
Emergency response teams, including Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue, Bedfordshire Police, and the East of England Ambulance, continue to be on the scene to manage the situation.
Luton Airport is situated approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) to the north of central London and is one of the several international airports that serve the city.
