Up to 1,500 vehicles in Luton Airport car park fire ‘unlikely to be salvageable’

The fire started on the third level of the brand-new car park (Picture: PA/Harpenden Fire Station)

It is unlikely that any of the vehicles that were involved in the fire at Luton Airport car park can be salvaged, a spokesperson for the airport has said.

The ferocious blaze, which caused the structure to collapse after it broke out on Tuesday evening, is thought to have destroyed up to 1,500 cars.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has now received a report about the incident.

In a statement, the airport said it had responded to almost 16,500 customer queries and provided the registration details of 1,405 vehicles to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

A spokesperson said: ‘We recognise this has been an extremely distressing time for all concerned and we would like to thank our customers for their ongoing patience and understanding while we work through the many complexities following this incident.

‘Since Tuesday evening, together with Apcoa parking, we have responded to almost 16,500 customer queries.

‘Dealing with such a large volume of inquiries, while an investigation is ongoing, has naturally extended our response times.

‘Our team have been tirelessly working around the clock to keep customers informed of developments.’

On Friday, travellers who had left their vehicle in the brand-new car park beside the airport’s Terminal 2 while they went on holiday said they had been ‘left in limbo’ without an apology.

The airport was closed with flights suspended until 3pm the day after the fire (Picture: PA)

Katie Forbes, who was on holiday in Fuerteventura with her family when she learned about the fire, said: ‘It’s hard to do anything, you can’t relax around the pool because you’re constantly looking at your phone to see, have they emailed, have we got an update?

‘There’s just been nothing.’

Luton Airport said everyone affected should notify their insurance company as quickly as possible.

The statement continued: ‘The emergency services have now handed back control of the site to the airport and work to make the site safe is ongoing.

‘Until such time, it will not be possible to provide more detailed information or a specific timeline.

‘We remain committed to transparency and resolution and will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds.’

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Luton Airport has urged anyone affected to contact their insurer as quickly as possible.