"I had to sort the mess out myself" - one year on from the Luton Airport fire
Yesterday's report from Bedfordshire Fire Service revealed sprinklers would have contained the fire's spread
One year on from the Luton Airport car park fire, one man whose vehicle was destroyed says the loss impacted his daily life.
On October 10th 2023, an accidental fire ripped through one of the car parks at London Luton Airport, with up to 1,500 vehicles engulfed by the flames.
Terminal Car Park 2 was closed for weeks with the vehicles left inside, following the blaze which led to extensive damage.
Owners of vehicles were instructed to contact their insurers at the time, following the fire which saw over 100 firefighters tackle the flames.
Flights were also grounded until the following day.
Now, one year on, Andrew Miller, a wheelchair user whose car was in the car park when it caught fire, is reflecting on how its destruction has affected his independence.
Andrew spoke with Greatest Hits Radio after the fire about his frustrations in not getting enough support with sorting out the aftermath from the blaze.
Mr Miller's car was specialised specifically for him, and its destruction damaged his daily life and independence.
Speaking one year on from the incident, he told Greatest Hits Radio: "I spent years looking for a car that I can easily get in and out of and drive without adaptations.
"The car that was lost at Luton is no longer in production. It made it really hard for me to find an alternative."
Andrew was among many who at the time of the fire questioned why no sprinklers were in place at the airport.
Report finds sprinklers could have put fire out faster
A report from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service came out yesterday, into the fire, which found the fire at the car park at Luton Airport could have been put out faster if a suitable sprinkler system had been installed.
The report also detailed how the fire started in a red Range Rover which already had "light smoke" coming out of it as it went through the barriers shortly before 9pm, an incident report by Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service has revealed.
The driver of the diesel vehicle did not notice the issue until they had reached the third floor of the car park, when flames appeared from the front of the car, the report said.
The owner tried to stop the fire but it spread to other parked vehicles.
A previous report concluded the blaze started by accident - most probably caused by "an electrical fault or component failure" in the car's engine bay.
At the time, Luton Airport said it had provided the Motor Insurers' Bureau with the registration details of 1,405 vehicles and, along with parking provider APCOA, had responded to almost 16,500 customer queries since the fire.
The aftermath
Andrew Miller's reflected on how the aftermath of the fire led to changes in his life.
"It took about a month of my life out, to sort out the aftermath.
"It was exceptionally stressful, it was unpleasant, it impacted on my health.
"The fire occurred simultaneously with a major professional event in my life as I was launching a new national arts access scheme for disabled people called All In. And the irony was not lost on me that as I did so, my own independence had been critically impaired due to the loss of my car."
Andrew says there was incredibly little information, and without easy access to public transport, the Airport Chaplain helped to get him home.
Luton Airport Response
Responding to the report, Alberto Martin, chief executive of London Luton Airport said: "We welcome the findings of the report, which highlights the efforts of the airport fire service and our wider team.
"We continue to work closely with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and all agencies in relation to this incident.
"We are grateful for their response to the incident, and for the understanding shown by our passengers and business partners.
"Construction on a new car park is under way, which includes plans for a fire suppressant system."