A significant fire at Luton Airport's multi-storey car park has led to the suspension of all flights until 3:00 PM BST. The fire caused structural damage to the building, and around 1,500 vehicles

parked inside may have been damaged. Four firefighters and an airport staff member were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation, while one patient was treated at the scene.

The fire is believed to have started in a vehicle that arrived shortly before 9:00 PM BST and was accidental in nature. Footage shared online shows large flames and thick smoke emanating from the car park's top level. Bedfordshire Police has advised people not to travel to the area, and the airport prioritizes supporting emergency services and ensuring passenger and staff safety.

Luton Airport has not revealed the specific cause of the fire. The fire service has indicated that the car park's open sides facilitated the fire's horizontal spread before moving upward through the building. The majority of initial investment in constructing new towns near English cities, as well as the commitment to building 1.5 million new homes over the next Parliament, could come from the private sector.

The airport serves over 13 million passengers in 2022, making it the UK's fifth-largest airport. Passengers have been left stranded, as flights have been suspended, and many are seeking transportation to other airports to catch their connecting flights. EasyJet is among the airline providers taking measures to assist affected passengers.

The fire service's firefighting operations continue as they work to restore travel services as soon as possible. Access to the airport is currently restricted, and the public is advised not to travel to the airport at this time. Photo by Fire station at Luton Airport by Richard Humphrey, Wikimedia commons.