electra-supply.comA recent report from the Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) highlights that the catastrophic fire at London Luton Airport’s Car Park 2 could have been greatly lessened by the installation of a sprinkler system. The incident, which took place on October 10, 2023, involved over 100 firefighters battling a blaze that ignited from a diesel vehicle on the third floor.
“The fire spread rapidly, fueled by winds through the open structure,” the report reveals. This resulted in the destruction of 1,352 vehicles and a partial collapse of the building. While the report points out that sprinklers were not a requirement for open-sided parking facilities, investigators remarked that their presence would have “changed and delayed the pattern of fire spread.”
The fire service affirmed that the fire was accidental and noted that while they cannot enforce the installation of sprinkler systems, these systems could significantly slow down fires in multi-storey car parks. Alberto Martin, the CEO of London Luton Airport, welcomed these findings, emphasizing the teamwork between the airport’s fire service and the BFRS. He also announced that plans are underway for a new car park that will include fire suppression systems.
According to the report, these systems would have boosted the likelihood of a successful firefighting response. The fire started when a red Range Rover Sport, which had entered the parking facility at 8:42 PM, began emitting smoke from its engine. The driver swiftly exited the vehicle and called emergency services within minutes of parking on the third floor.
When firefighters arrived just before 9 PM, they found multiple cars already engulfed in flames. The report describes this incident as “one of the more significant” challenges the BFRS has faced in recent years, highlighting the substantial cross-regional support from neighboring fire services.
The investigation stressed the need to reconsider national guidelines and legislation to mandate automatic fire suppression systems in new open-sided multi-storey car parks. BFRS has been pushing for mandatory sprinkler installation since 2019, but current regulations prevent them from enforcing such measures.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in this incident, which the report attributes to the early evacuation efforts led by fire crews who recognized the risk of the building collapsing. The report also affirmed that the presence of electric vehicles in the parking facility did not adversely affect the outcome of the fire, noting that the actions of the fire crews were crucial in preventing further damage to the surrounding infrastructure.
