All flights departing from Luton Airport have been suspended until the afternoon due to a significant fire that engulfed a terminal car park on Tuesday evening, causing substantial structural damage to the building.

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Bedfordshire Fire Service estimates that around 1,500 vehicles in the multi-storey car park may have been damaged. Travel expert Simon Calder predicts that the travel plans of approximately 40,000 to 50,000 individuals will be impacted. The airport has stated its intent to resume operations as soon as possible.

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During the incident, four firefighters and an airport staff member were hospitalised due to smoke inhalation, while another patient received on-site treatment, although no severe injuries have been reported. Witnesses heard vehicle alarms and loud explosions, with one observer describing the rapid progression of the fire through the upper car park floor as astonishing.

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The fire, suspected to be unintentional, appears to have originated in a vehicle that arrived just before the fire's commencement, shortly before 21:00 BST, according to the fire service. A passenger aboard an aircraft that was scheduled for departure when the fire erupted recounted the incident stating - "We were all just told to get off the flight, that there was an incident and then we were left in the airport with no proper explanation."

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Two hours later, passengers were told there was a major incident and that they would need to leave the airport. A passenger stated "It was all a little bit confusing, because I don't think the staff knew exactly what they were supposed to be doing."

The airport have announced - "All flights are currently suspended as emergency services respond to a car fire that has spread in Terminal Car Park 2."