This was the car that sparked the devastating multi-storey fire at Luton Airport a year ago, first pictured just minutes before the inferno ripped through the car park, destroying more than 1,300 vehicles.
The red Range Rover Sport that caught fire was a diesel car, not a hybrid or electric car, fire investigators revealed as they issued a new report on the incident on October 10, 2023.
A sprinkler system could have altered or limited the devastation caused by the fire, experts conclude, and called for such measures to be mandatory, even in open parking lots.
In an image taken from CCTV, the Range Rover can be seen entering short-stay car park #2 at 8.42pm BST on the night of the fire.
Still, CCTV footage shows clear smoke coming from its engine.
This was the car that sparked the devastating multi-storey fire at Luton Airport a year ago, first pictured just minutes before the fire ripped through the car park, destroying more than 1,300 vehicles.
The red Range Rover Sport that caught fire was a diesel car, not a hybrid or electric car, fire investigators revealed as they issued a new report on the incident on October 10, 2023.
A sprinkler system could have altered or limited the devastation caused by the fire, experts conclude, and called for such measures to be mandatory, even in open parking lots.
In an image taken from CCTV, the Range Rover can be seen entering short-stay car park #2 at 8.42pm BST on the night of the fire. Still, CCTV footage shows clear smoke coming from its engine.
At 8.47pm the driver continued to the third floor when he stopped the car, got out and called 999. By the time the first firefighters arrived at around 8.55pm there were already a number of cars involved in the fire, estimated to be around three visible from outside the parking
At 9:07 pm, the group commander arrived and was informed that at least six cars were on fire.
The fire is described in the document as “one of the most significant incidents to occur in the Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) area for many years”.
At 8.47pm the driver continued to the third floor when he stopped the car, got out and called 999.
When the first firefighters arrived at around 8:55 p.m., there were already several cars involved in the fire, estimated to be around three visible outside the parking lot.
At 9:07 pm the group commander arrived and was informed that at least six cars were on fire.
The fire is described in the document as “one of the most significant incidents to occur in the Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) area for many years”.
Because of the wind blowing through the open structure, the fire spread quickly, destroying 1,352 vehicles and causing the building to partially collapse.
Investigators said that although a sprinkler system was not mandatory for an open, multi-story building, it would have “altered and delayed the fire spread pattern.”
The fire service said the crews benefited from access to large water tanks at an adjacent airfield and were assisted by Luton Airport Fire Brigade.
Investigators said: 'Bedfordshire FRS has routinely promoted the installation of sprinkler systems in all buildings through the planning process since 2019 and during building regulation consultations since 2022.
Because of the wind blowing through the open structure, the fire spread quickly, destroying 1,352 vehicles and causing the building to partially collapse.
Investigators said that although a sprinkler system was not mandatory for a multi-story, open-sided building, it would have “altered and delayed the fire spread pattern.”
The fire service said the crews benefited from access to large water tanks at an adjacent airfield and were assisted by Luton Airport Fire Brigade.
Investigators said: 'Bedfordshire FRS has routinely promoted the installation of sprinkler systems in all buildings through the planning process since 2019 and during building regulation consultations since 2022
Crews from Hertfordshire, London, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire also joined the operation
The document praised these teams for successfully preventing the fire from spreading to nearby infrastructure such as the Luton Dart rail service or Car Park 1.
A man who was arrested after the fire will not face any further action, police confirmed earlier this year. The 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage
Bedfordshire Police said the investigation has concluded and the case has been passed on to the fire service.
'However, the service cannot require sprinklers in open multi-story parking lots similar to Terminal Car Park 2.
'A change to national guidance and legislation should be considered to make automatic fire suppression systems (such as sprinklers) mandatory in all new open multi-storey car parks.'
The BFRS report highlighted: “There is no evidence to show that the presence of electric vehicles parked in the car park had a negative impact on the outcome of the fire.”
The report adds that the fire crews who were at the scene “almost certainly saved lives” by early recognizing the warning signs of the building collapsing and evacuating the site.
Crews from Hertfordshire, London, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire also joined the operation.
The document praised these teams for successfully preventing the fire from spreading to nearby infrastructure such as the Luton Dart train service or Car Park 1.
A man who was arrested after the fire will not face any further action, police confirmed earlier this year.
The 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Bedfordshire Police said the investigation has been completed and the case has been referred to the fire service.
