The car park at Luton Airport, which collapsed due to a massive fire that destroyed over 1,400 cars, will be demolished, according to the airport. The fire, which occurred on October 10 in Terminal Car Park 2, was declared a major incident, and over 100 firefighters were deployed to control the blaze. The fire spread across multiple floors, causing a partial collapse of the structure. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, but was later released on bail. It is believed that the fire started due to an electrical fault or leaking fuel line in a diesel car, possibly a Range Rover.
Neil Thompson, the operations director at London Luton Airport, has confirmed that the car park will be fully demolished, along with any cars parked on the ground to the third levels. The airport had provided the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) with the registration details of the 1,405 vehicles, and they have responded to nearly 16,500 customer queries since the fire. The majority of insurance claims have been settled, but car owners who have not yet received their final settlement are advised to contact their insurance companies as soon as possible.
The airport acknowledged that the past few weeks have been challenging for those affected by the fire. The process of removing around 100 vehicles from the top deck to stabilize the structure is ongoing, although bad weather and strong winds have caused delays. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service estimated that up to 1,500 cars were inside the car park when the fire broke out, and it is highly unlikely that any of them can be salvaged.
The airport, along with its parking provider APCOA, has been working with the MIB and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to manage the claims process efficiently. They express their gratitude for the patience and understanding of those involved and assure them that efforts are being made to settle any outstanding claims promptly. The ABI spokeswoman also stated that while the majority of claims have been resolved, they understand the distressing nature of the situation and will continue supporting their customers until all claims are resolved and the vehicles from the top deck are recovered.