A vehicle burst into flames at Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal earlier today, leading to the temporary suspension of access and drawing a rapid response from emergency services.
The incident occurred shortly before 1:30pm in the car park area, with flames reportedly reaching the terminal’s entry and exit barriers. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (WSFRS) quickly deployed two fire engines to the scene to contain the blaze.
Eyewitness Simon Doce, who had just exited the terminal, described the moment the fire became visible. “I could smell the fire as soon as I walked out. Then, as we walked further round, we saw the vehicle fully on fire,” he said.
The fire was brought under control and fully extinguished shortly after 2:00pm. Firefighters remained at the scene for some time to ensure the area was safe and to monitor for any possible flare-ups.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport later confirmed that the North Terminal car park had reopened, and operations had returned to normal.
Despite the situation being under control, WSFRS has urged members of the public to remain cautious. “We are still urging residents living nearby to avoid the area near the North Terminal car park to ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users,” a fire service spokesperson advised.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage. Sussex Police have been contacted for further information, and an investigation is expected.
