On the evening of October 10, 2023, a fire broke out on the top floor of the multi-story parking garage at Terminal 2 of London Luton Airport. The  inferno disrupted travel and resulted in several injuries. Luton Airport, located roughly 35 miles from central London, serves as a critical transit point for many.

The initial inquiry indicates the fire began around 9 pm, originating from a diesel vehicle on the garage’s top floor. The absence of a sprinkler system allowed the fire to quickly spread to nearby cars, worsening the situation. The severity of the fire, evidenced through video footage, continued until late that night.

A passenger, who had just arrived from Scotland, described the scene. They observed fire trucks initially trying to extinguish a vehicle fire. However, the fire soon engulfed most of the upper floor. The sound of car alarms combined with continual explosions made the situation even more alarming.

The fire led to hospitalization for four firefighters and an airport employee due to smoke inhalation. Another person was treated on-site for minor injuries. Flight schedules were heavily impacted; 140 flights were cancelled on October 10, and another 17 were rerouted, affecting approximately 25,000 passengers. 

The parking structure experienced considerable damage. Initial evaluations indicate up to 1,500 cars might have been compromised or destroyed. The rapid spread of the fire and the subsequent explosions were startling to many, including travelers and airport personnel. Preliminary reports from officials confirm the fire wasn’t intentional. Yet, the missing sprinkler system in the garage has sparked concern.

By the next afternoon, the fire was under control. Still, the aftermath and investigations caused traffic advisories, asking individuals to steer clear of the airport area.