An investigation has found that a large blaze at one of Luton Airport's multi-storey car parks was started accidentally. 

The fire, which was tackled by more than 100 firefighters, took place on the evening of October 10, 2023, with aircraft grounded until the following day.

A joint investigation by Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service concluded this week that the most probable cause was an electrical fault or component failure in the engine bay of a vehicle.

The developing fire spread to other components, and while the owner attempted to fight the fire, the car became overrun with flames and spread to other parked vehicles.

A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The vehicle involved was diesel-powered – it was not a mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle.

"When the fire service arrived on the night, crews were faced with a rapidly escalating fire and shortly after, declared a major incident.

"All those involved in the multi-agency response worked incredibly hard to get the blaze under control and protect vital infrastructure including neighbouring car park and the Luton DART."