A report published on the one year anniversary of the major fire that damaged 1,352 vehicles and partially collapsed a Luton Airport car park has shown that a suitable sprinkler system may have delayed the spread of the blaze.
The fire, which took place on 10 October 2023, was one of the most significant incidents the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has responded to in recent years, requiring more than 100 firefighters at its height. Crews worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading to the neighbouring car park, the multi-million-pound DART travel infrastructure, and aircraft.
The inferno started accidentally after a diesel fuelled Range Rover caught fire inside terminal car park two, just outside of the airport entrance. While the owner of the vehicle attempted to fight the fire, the vehicle became overrun with flames and spread to other parked vehicles. And the close proximity of parked vehicles, plus the open-sided building allowed wind to blow the blaze from car to car.
But when the car park was built in 2019, no sprinklers, or automatic water suppression systems (AWSS) were installed and the fire service report identified that as an area for improvement for fire safety measures for multi-storey car parks.
The installation of AWSS has been promoted in all buildings since January 2019, but the initial planning application for the car park was submitted in 2017.
Chief Fire Officer, Andy Hopkinson, said: “Evidence derived from global research demonstrates the effectiveness of sprinklers in controlling fires in car parks, with property loss about 95 per cent lower than that of an uncontrolled fire. We will be using the learning from this incident to support the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in lobbying for a change in national guidance and legislation to make the provision of automatic water suppression systems (AWSS), such as sprinklers, a requirement in multi-storey car parks.”
The Chief Fire Officer is also backing the NFCC in its call on Government to carry out further and in-depth research into fires in car parks and the design of car parks.
NFCC has already called for a review of the requirements for car parks, to take account of the products and materials used in modern vehicles, and to consider additional requirements for automatic water suppression systems and structural safety above those specified in the current guidance.
The fire, which led to widespread disruption at the airport, was managed without any serious injuries or fatalities.
Councillor Jacqui Burnett, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority Chair said: “The fire presented challenges, but I am incredibly proud of the rapid response and professionalism shown by our teams and our partners. The operation not only safeguarded the airport but also highlighted the strength of the Service’s multi-agency coordination. While our firefighters managed to contain and successfully extinguish the fire, reports like these are essential to ensure the Service learns and continues to improve its response in the future.”
