Police have taken a man into custody regarding a destructive car fire that occurred at Luton Airport. This substantial blaze engulfed approximately 1,500 vehicles, rendering them beyond repair.
The incident, which transpired on Tuesday, October 10, caused disruptions to flights at the airport and unfolded within the £20 million multi-storey car park.
Bedfordshire Police have confirmed the arrest of a man in his thirties on suspicion of criminal damage last week. Subsequently, he has been released on bail while ongoing investigations continue.
The inferno at Terminal Car Park Two of the airport, which lasted for approximately 12 hours, engaged one hundred firefighters in an arduous battle. The structure succumbed to the flames, collapsing shortly before 9 pm.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been initiated by a diesel car, potentially a Range Rover, due to an electrical malfunction or a fuel line leak.
A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police released a statement, saying, 'Police last week arrested a man in his thirties on suspicion of criminal damage in connection to their investigation into a significant fire in a car park at London Luton Airport on Tuesday (10 October). We are carrying out a thorough and diligent investigation into all potential lines of enquiry, as should be expected after such a major event. The man has been released on bail while our enquiries continue.'
Andrew Hopkinson, Chief Fire Officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, noted that up to 1,500 vehicles were present in the car park when the fire broke out. He added, 'We don't believe it was an electric vehicle. It's believed to be diesel-powered, at this stage, all subject to verification. And then that fire has quickly and rapidly spread.'
Luton Airport expressed that it is unlikely that any vehicles in the car park will be salvageable, but a comprehensive assessment is still underway.
In response to the incident, the airport has supplied the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) with the registration details of 1,405 vehicles. Additionally, in collaboration with its parking provider APCOA, it has addressed nearly 16,500 customer inquiries since the fire.
The multi-storey structure suffered extensive damage due to the fire, leaving a heap of charred vehicle remains within the scorched building. Disturbing images have revealed the severity of the damage, depicting burnt-out cars overturned and crushed under concrete. Photo by Acather96, Wikimedia commons.