London Luton Airport Fire

[Aviador]

It is widely reported this evening the airport is currently closed due to a fire in a multi storey car park. Flights are being diverted to other airports while the emergency services deal with the situation.

#LutonFire

 

[jfy1999]

There will be many, many people abroad now who won’t know if or how they can get home safely when they return. I can’t imagine what they must be feeling.

 

[Silvercity]

It is widely reported this evening the airport is currently closed due to a fire in a multi storey car park. Flights are being diverted to other airports while the emergency services deal with the situation.

#LutonFire

Any news on how this has happened ?

 

[Aviador]

I haven't seen anything on the cause but my initial thought was electric vehicle battery.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

A video by Andy The Gabby Cabby. He hints at an EV battery fire, but the footage looks more like a fuel explosion to me. I've seen reports that it was a diesel vehicle, but I didn't think that diesel was that flammable. So, possibly petrol?

 

[White Heather]

I haven't seen anything on the cause but my initial thought was electric vehicle battery.

Confirmed by the Fire Brigade that the offending vehicle was a diesel powered Range Rover .There are photos /videos if it when only it was on fire. Oddly, it's lights were on even though it was parked up and presumably unoccupied...

 

[Seasider]

I was beginning to think that there was a cover-up on this as I had not seen any reason given for the fire.
It will still be interesting to find out what was the cause.

 

[Aviador]

It is widely know that lithium batteries can cause fires which is why I speculated as such. It's actually one of the main reasons airlines don't like passengers using their electrical devices on their aircraft.

Lithium Ion Batteries on Planes UK and Flight Restrictions - UK Rules

ICAO Lithium Batteries on Planes Rules Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and UK airline operators have restrictions on flying with certain types of batteries carried either on your person or in your baggage. Most battery-powered devices need to meet flight safety laws. They may also need approval...

www.theukrules.co.uk

 

[VC10]

An Australian engineer has put a video on You Tube explaining his thoughts on the Luton Carpark fire.
A clear film of the Range Rover Evoque was shown showing the flames coming down from the area of the passenger seat. This is where the battery is on the Diesel HYBRID.
If he is correct then we can expect electric cars being banned from multi storey carparks. We have to wait and see.