A new report has revealed that a sprinkler system could have significantly impacted the outcome of the devastating fire that engulfed a multi-story car park at London Luton Airport in October 2023.
Investigators from Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) found that the fire, which destroyed 1,352 vehicles and caused partial building collapse, was exacerbated by the open-sided structure of the car park. While a sprinkler system was not mandatory for such buildings, the report states that it would have “changed and delayed the pattern of fire spread.”
The fire started in a diesel vehicle on the third floor of Car Park 2 and was fueled by strong winds, rapidly spreading throughout the structure. Despite the efforts of over 100 firefighters, the blaze caused extensive damage.
The BFRS report emphasizes the importance of installing sprinkler systems in open-sided multi-story car parks, calling for a change in guidance and legislation to make them mandatory. The fire service highlights the benefits of such systems in preventing fire spread and increasing the chances of a successful firefighting operation.
While the report acknowledges the challenges posed by the open-sided design of the car park, it also commends the firefighters for their swift response and successful efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby infrastructure.