Fire at airport car park started accidentally

A fire investigation into the blaze that broke out in a multi-storey car park at London Luton Airport was accidental, the fire service can confirm.

 
At its height, more than 100 firefighters tackled the fire, which started in the evening of 10 October 2023 and saw aircraft grounded until the following day. 

Following the fire, a multi-agency investigation took place between Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, which finished this week. 

As a result of the investigation, all evidence points to the most probable cause being an electrical fault or component failure, which started in the engine bay of the vehicle whilst it was in motion. 

The developing fire spread to other components, and whilst the owner of the vehicle attempted to fight the fire, the vehicle became overrun with flames and spread to other parked vehicles.

The vehicle involved was diesel-powered – it was not a mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle. 

When the fire service arrived on the night, crews were faced with a rapidly escalating fire and shortly after, declared a major incident. All those involved in the multi-agency response worked incredibly hard to get the blaze under control and protect vital infrastructure including neighbouring car park and the Luton DART.

A full incident report is expected to be published in summer 2024.