Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service publishes report on London Luton Airport fire

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) has released a detailed report concerning the major fire that occurred at London Luton Airport’s Terminal Car Park 2.

The report, published on 9 October 2024, provides an in-depth analysis of the fire that broke out on 10 October 2023.

The incident involved a rapidly escalating blaze that spread through multiple vehicles, resulting in the complete loss of the car park.

At its height, over 100 firefighters were required to control the fire, which posed a significant threat to neighbouring structures, including the DART travel system and aircraft.

According to BFRS, the fire was contained with no fatalities or serious injuries, despite the widespread disruption caused.

Fire safety gaps identified in multi-storey car parks

The BFRS report highlights several key areas for improvement in fire safety within multi-storey car parks.

One major observation was the absence of a sprinkler system in Terminal Car Park 2.

BFRS noted that if a sprinkler system had been installed, it might have altered the fire’s progression, potentially delaying its spread and improving firefighting efforts.

The Service has been advocating for the installation of such systems in new developments since 2019, but current regulations do not mandate sprinklers in open-sided multi-storey car parks like Terminal Car Park 2.

Investigation rules out electric vehicles as a factor

Following a multi-agency investigation into the fire, which concluded in March 2024, BFRS confirmed that a diesel-powered vehicle was the source of the fire.

The fire started due to an electrical fault or component failure in the vehicle’s engine bay.

Contrary to initial speculation, there was no evidence suggesting that the presence of electric or hybrid vehicles contributed to the fire’s intensity or outcome.

BFRS has reiterated that lessons learned from this incident should be applied to improve future fire response strategies.

Collaborative efforts prevented further damage

Fire crews from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, London, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, and London Luton Airport worked together to contain the fire.

The report highlights the swift actions of Bedfordshire FRS crews, who recognised early signs of building collapse, allowing for a successful evacuation.

Thanks to this coordinated response, the fire was prevented from spreading to nearby critical infrastructure, such as Car Park 1 and the multi-million-pound DART system, ensuring minimal further damage.

Major fire at London Luton Airport underlines need for enhanced car park fire safety measures: Summary

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has published a report on the major fire at London Luton Airport’s Terminal Car Park 2, which occurred on 10 October 2023.

The fire, originating from a diesel-powered vehicle, spread quickly through the car park, leading to structural collapse and the destruction of multiple vehicles.

The investigation ruled the fire as accidental, caused by a fault in the vehicle’s engine bay.

The report calls for improved fire safety measures in multi-storey car parks, particularly the installation of sprinkler systems, which may have helped delay the fire’s progression.

Over 100 firefighters from multiple services worked to contain the blaze, successfully preventing further damage to neighbouring infrastructure.