Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue ServiceA sprinkler system could replace or limit a multi-storey car park fire at London Luton Airport, according to a new report.
Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) has issue a significant incident report to the fire on October 10, 2023 that was handled by more than 100 firefighters at its peak.
The fire started from a diesel vehicle during the third flood in Car Park 2, but due to the wind passing through the open side structure, it spread quickly and destroyed 1,352 vehicles and caused the partial collapse of the building.
The investigators have said that although sprinkler systems are not mandatory for open multi-storey buildings, they should have “changed and delayed the spread of fire”.
The BFRS has concluded the cause of the fire accidentally.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue ServiceAlberto Martin, chief executive of London Luton Airport said: “We welcome the findings, which highlight the efforts of the airport fire service and the wider team.
“We are continuing to work with Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and all agencies involved in this incident”.
It added new car park construction which includes plans for a fire fighting system.
The report said the system, including sprinklers, would increase “the likelihood of a successful outcome once firefighting operations have commenced”.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue ServiceInvestigators said the fire started in a red Range Rover Sport that arrived in the car park at 20:42 BST on the night of the fire.
CCTV footage shows the entry into the building with light colored smoke coming from the engine.
At 20:47 the driver continued to the third floor when he stopped the car, got out and called 999.
When the first fire crews arrived at about 8.55pm there were a number of cars involved in the fire, about three of which were visible from outside the car park.
At 21:07 the group commander arrived and was informed that at least six cars were on fire.
The fire was described in the document as “one of the more significant incidents to have occurred in the Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service area in many years”.
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Nicola Haseler/BBCThe fire service said the crew benefited from having access to a large water tank at the adjacent airfield, and they were assisted by the Luton Airport Fire Service.
Investigators said: “Bedfordshire FRS has regularly promoted the installation of sprinkler systems to all buildings through the planning process from 2019 and during the building regulations consultation from 2022.”
“However, the service is unable to order sprinklers in the open multi-storey car park which is the same as Terminal Car Park 2.
“Changes in guidance and rules at the national level should be considered to make automatic fire suppression systems (such as sprinklers) mandatory in all new open-sided multi-storey car parks.”
PA MediaThe BFRS report emphasized: “There is no evidence to demonstrate that having electric vehicles parked in car parks has a detrimental effect on fire outcomes.”
The report said fire crews “almost certainly saved lives” by recognizing early warning signs of a building collapse and evacuating the site.
Crews from Hertfordshire, London, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire also took part in the operation.
The document praised the crew for preventing the fire from spreading to nearby infrastructure such as the Luton Dart rail service or Car Park 1.
