PASSENGERS have been evacuated from a major UK airport after a fire broke out in one of the lounges.
Flights at Stansted Airport have been suspended this morning, with travellers warned of major delays following the blaze.
GettyFlights at Stansted Airport have been suspended this morning[/caption]
Emergency crews were scrambled to the Escape Lounge at 3.30am, with “significant amounts of smoke” coming from the terminal.
Security currently remains closed at London‘s third busiest airport.
Angry commuters took to social media to slam a “lack of communication” in the travel hub.
One wrote: “The situation here is really bad.
“The check-in area is completely packed with people standing shoulder to shoulder… there’s very little movement or information.
“Many passengers have been waiting for hours and there’s no access to toilets without risking losing your place in the crowd
“We urgently need clearer communication on when security will reopen, what arrangements are being made.
“Right now it feels unsafe and very frustrating for everyone stuck here.”
Stansted Airport confirmed the fire had been extinguished but passengers had been moved to the terminal forecourt as a precaution.
A statement read: “At 3.30am, there was a small fire in our Escape Lounge.
“It was quickly extinguished by the Airport Fire Service and there are no reports of any injuries to passengers.
“As a significant amount of smoke continued to be generated, the immediate area was evacuated.
“Passengers were stopped from entering security. This was a precaution to protect their health and safety.
“Passengers have now been moved to the terminal forecourt and security remains temporarily closed.
“No flights are due to depart until later this morning but passengers are advised to check with their airline for further information.
“Health and safety will always be our number one priority and we thank passengers for their understanding.
“A further update will be provided as soon as possible.”
There are also issues with trains heading to the major travel hub due to a signalling failure.
In an update on X, National Rail advised commuters heading towards the airport to use buses instead.
The statement read: “Trains are unable to call at Stansted Airport due to a fault with the signalling system.
“Greater Anglia and Stansted Express customers may use their ticket on Central Connect buses route 305 route between Bishops Stortford and Stansted Airport.”
The travel delays come just days after UK and European airports were crippled by a cyber attack.
Check-in and boarding systems were targeted on Saturday, disrupting operations at Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin airports.
It crippled the automated systems, making them inoperable, according to Brussels Airport.
PAIt comes just days after UK and European airports were targeted by a cyber attack[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
