Flights at Stansted Airport are expected to return to normal after a fire caused all departures to be cancelled on Friday evening.

Footage showed black smoke shrouding the terminal building when a shuttle bus burst into flames.

No-one was injured but passengers described an atmosphere of confusion in the aftermath as flight details disappeared from departure boards.</s>Flights are expected to resume at Stansted Airport this morning after a fire on a passenger shuttle bus forced departures to be cancelled on Friday.

Passengers described panic and confusion as the bus burst into flames yesterday afternoon, belching thick black smoke that clouded much of the front of the terminal building.

The airport cancelled all departing flights until midnight, but services were set to resume as normal on Saturday.

"Following the earlier incident involving a shuttle bus fire on the terminal forecourt, we confirm that the airport will be open tomorrow and flights are expected to operate as normal," the airport tweeted.

"Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information with their airlines."

No injuries were reported to have occurred in the incident which began at around 4.20pm.

The bus, which was outside the terminal entrance, was well alight when firefighters appeared on the scene and the blaze was completely extinguished by 5.02pm, Essex Fire and Rescue Service said.

Several passengers took to social media to express disappointment at how the evacuation was handled.

Taylor Fulton-Ward, 18, from Hertfordshire, who was flying to Dublin with her family for the Easter weekend, said people were "pushing and panicking" after certain doors were not open to allow people to leave.

She said: "We arrived at the airport and after a lot of waiting we got through security and staff told us all flights were running but delayed.

"After an hour, our flight disappeared from the board with no communication. We went back through to check in to try and re-book the flight but the crowds were crazy.

"The biggest problem was not being able to get out the doors and a lack of communication."

A spokesman for the airport said some exits were cordoned off to protect passengers from the burning bus, which was very close to some of the doors, but staff were doing all they could to guide passengers to alternative exits.

Some passengers were given the option of having their luggage mailed to their home address if they needed to leave the airport quickly.</s>Essex airport cancelled all departing flights on Friday evening after fire on vehicle outside terminal entrance

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Flights from Stansted airport have resumed after a fire on a passenger shuttle bus forced departures to be cancelled.

The bus burst into flames at around 4.20pm on Friday, belching thick black smoke that clouded much of the front of the terminal building.

No one was injured but passengers described an atmosphere of confusion in the aftermath as flight details disappeared from departure boards.

The airport in Essex cancelled all departing flights until midnight but services resumed as normal on Saturday. Airport bosses have advised passengers to check flights with their airlines.

“Following the earlier incident involving a shuttle bus fire on the terminal forecourt, we confirm that the airport will be open tomorrow [Saturday] and flights are expected to operate as normal,” the airport wrote on Twitter.

“Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information with their airlines.”

The bus, which was outside the terminal entrance, was alight when firefighters appeared on the scene and the blaze was completely extinguished by 5.02pm, Essex fire and rescue service said.

Passengers were told to leave the area and advised to rebook flights. Several travellers expressed disappointment at how the evacuation was handled.

Taylor Fulton-Ward, 18, from Hertfordshire, who was flying to Dublin with her family for the Easter weekend, said people were “pushing and panicking” after some doors were not open to allow people to leave.

She said: “We arrived at the airport and after a lot of waiting we got through security and staff told us all flights were running but delayed.

“After an hour, our flight disappeared from the board with no communication. We went back through to check in to try and re-book the flight but the crowds were crazy.

“Announcements were telling us to leave the building, but the doors were not open – so people began pushing and panicking. The biggest problem was not being able to get out the doors and a lack of communication.”

Evan Roth tweeted: “We’re at Ryanair Gate 57 waiting with hundreds of people with no communication from anyone and we were just told that we now have to leave and go through security again because people had to go through security without being checked in order to evacuate.”

A spokesman for the airport, which is the fourth busiest in the UK, said some exits were cordoned off to protect passengers from the burning bus, which was very close to some of the doors, and staff guided passengers to alternative exits.

Some passengers were given the option of having their luggage mailed to their home address if they needed to leave the airport quickly.

</s>Passengers have slammed Stansted Airport's response to a bus fire outside the terminal which forced the cancellation of all flights yesterday evening (March 30).

The airport was plunged into chaos in the wake of the fire, which broke out at 4.20pm, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.

But despite the fire having been brought under control within 20 minutes, the airport was forced to re-screen all passengers through security after evacuating many into the departure lounge.

The airport has since apologised for the disruption the fire caused, but furious stranded passengers took to social media to vent their frustration after it was announced at 8pm that all flights until midnight would be cancelled - despite an earlier announcement that they would be "returning to normal operations".

One passenger labelled it “an utter shambles” while others complained of “third world” conditions and demanded to know if they would be offered compensation.

Meanwhile some passengers who had already boarded their flights reported that they were also made to disembark and go back through security.

Responding to the comments, a spokesman for Stansted Airport insisted that they had followed the proper procedure, and that information was being given to passengers in what was a “difficult” and “fast moving” situation.

He said: “The process was arranged in line with the procedures not only from us but the fire service too.

“It was a very fluid situation and the first priority was to evacuate people to a safe distance away as it was unknown at that stage what the cause of the fire was.

“However, after that it meant that passengers were on the wrong side of security.

“While it was not perfect, in terms of making the priority people's safety that was achieved and there were no injuries.

“There was a lot of people there and information was being provided but people in the heat of the moment may not have heard the tannoy announcements while they were looking for specific information about their flights.

“The airlines had to make their decisions as to whether cancel their flights in what was a difficult situation.”

In a statement this morning, Stansted said: “The airport was alerted to a major fire on a transfer bus outside the entrance to the terminal building at 4.20pm on Friday.

“The fire was caused by an electrical fault on the bus and was brought under control within 20 minutes by the emergency services.

“Passengers were quickly evacuated away from the fire and there were no reported injuries.

"As a result, a number of flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted to other UK airports.

“As a result, a number of flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted to other UK airports.

“Our terminal team and additional staff have worked around the clock to provide welfare assistance to those passengers who were affected by the flight cancellations.

“We apologise to those passengers who were affected and can confirm that the airport will be open today (March 31) with all flights expected to operate as normal.”</s>A shuttle bus that went up in flames forced the partial evacuation of a terminal at London's Stansted Airport in Essex.

Authorities at Stansted cordoned off the front of the international airport while emergency services tackled the blaze on a parked coach on Friday afternoon.

Footage from the scene shows flames and black smoke rising from a passenger set-down spot at the airport’s car park.

After the fire was extinguished, Stansted services began the re-screening of passengers through airport security.

Essex County Fire Services said a number of crews attended the fire, which was put out just after 5pm local time.

“The bus has been completely destroyed, while much of the front of the terminal building has suffered smoke damage,” the fire department said.

The airport confirmed that there were no injuries reported from the blaze, which was "caused by an engine electrical fault on the bus."</s>Flights are expected to resume at Stansted Airport on Saturday after a fire on a passenger shuttle bus forced departures to be cancelled.

Flights are expected to resume at Stansted Airport on Saturday after a fire on a passenger shuttle bus forced departures to be cancelled.

Passengers described panic and confusion as the bus burst into flames on Friday afternoon, belching thick black smoke that clouded much of the front of the terminal building.

The airport cancelled all departing flights until midnight, but services were set to resume as normal on Saturday. "Following the earlier incident involving a shuttle bus fire on the terminal forecourt, we confirm that the airport will be open tomorrow and flights are expected to operate as normal," the airport tweeted.

"Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information with their airlines." No injuries were reported to have occurred in the incident which began at around 4.20pm.

The bus, which was outside the terminal entrance, was well alight when firefighters appeared on the scene and the blaze was completely extinguished by 5.02pm, Essex Fire and Rescue Service said. Several passengers took to social media to express disappointment at how the evacuation was handled.

Taylor Fulton-Ward, 18, from Hertfordshire, who was flying to Dublin with her family for the Easter weekend, said people were "pushing and panicking" after certain doors were not open to allow people to leave. She said: "We arrived at the airport and after a lot of waiting we got through security and staff told us all flights were running but delayed.

"After an hour, our flight disappeared from the board with no communication. We went back through to check in to try and re-book the flight but the crowds were crazy.

"The biggest problem was not being able to get out the doors and a lack of communication." A spokesman for the airport said some exits were cordoned off to protect passengers from the burning bus, which was very close to some of the doors, but staff were doing all they could to guide passengers to alternative exits.

Some passengers were given the option of having their luggage mailed to their home address if they needed to leave the airport quickly. The airport have said it will be operating a normal schedule as of Saturday morning.</s>Flights are expected to resume at Stansted Airport today after a fire on a passenger shuttle bus forced ALL departures to be cancelled.

Passengers described panic and confusion as the bus burst into flames on Friday afternoon, belching thick black smoke that clouded much of the front of the terminal building.

The airport cancelled all departing flights until midnight, but services were set to resume as normal on Saturday.

"Following the earlier incident involving a shuttle bus fire on the terminal forecourt, we confirm that the airport will be open tomorrow and flights are expected to operate as normal," the airport tweeted.

"Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information with their airlines."

Shocking footage showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from outside the entrance of the main terminal after the car park shuttle bus caught fire.

The blaze is believed to have been caused by an engine electrical fault on the vehicle.

The bus, which was well alight when firefighters arrived at the scene, has been "completely destroyed", while "much of the front of the terminal building" has suffered smoke damage.

The fire was completely extinguished by 5.02pm on Friday, and no injuries were reported.

While passengers in parts of the terminal building were evacuated due to smoke during the incident, others were reportedly told to remain where they were.

Taylor Fulton-Ward, 18, from Hertfordshire, who was flying to Dublin, Ireland, with her family for the Easter weekend, claimed people were "pushing and panicking" after certain doors were not open to allow people to leave.

She claimed: "We arrived at the airport and after a lot of waiting we got through security and staff told us all flights were running but delayed.

"After an hour, our flight disappeared from the board with no communication. We went back through to check in to try and re-book the flight but the crowds were crazy.

"Announcements were telling us to leave the building, but the doors were not open - so people began pushing and panicking. The biggest problem was not being able to get out the doors and a lack of communication."

Fitness trainer Julia Buckley posted a video from inside the airport on Twitter, writing: "It's getting packed in here! They're not letting anyone leave."

An airport spokesman said some exits were cordoned off to protect passengers from the burning bus, which was very close to some of the doors.

But he said staff were doing all they could to guide passengers to alternative exits.

Some passengers were given the option of having their luggage mailed to their home address if they needed to leave the Essex-based airport quickly.

A statement on the airport's official Twitter page read this evening: "All departing flights until midnight have now been cancelled and passengers are politely asked to leave the Airport.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and advise you to re-book your flight with the airline."

Taking to social media earlier, some witnesses had described how the bus apparently set ablaze near the terminal's car park - with one claiming she saw a "fireball".

Twitter user Rachel Ann Alger shared footage of smoke streaming into the air on the site, writing: "Something's happened at stansted airport, looks like a bus, fireball!"

A second user posted: "Stuck before border control because there's a fire at Stansted airport, can see a fair bit of smoke but seen a video just now with a whole coach on fire."

And a third wrote: "Fire near Stansted airport?!? I'm in the carpark and just see smoke.

"Anyone know what's going on? stansted fire."

Other users described how police officers were diverting traffic away from the area.

In a statement on its website, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters were called to a fire at Stansted Airport this afternoon. Crews reported on arrival that a bus, positioned outside the terminal entrance, was well alight.

"Due to the volume of smoke, the terminal was partially evacuated while firefighters extinguished the fire. The fire was extinguished completely by 5.02pm.

"The bus has been completely destroyed, while much of the front of the terminal building has suffered smoke damage.

"We believe the fire was caused accidentally by an electrical fault on the bus."

Stansted Airport confirmed via Twitter that the terminal forecourt and parts of the terminal building had been evacuated because of the blaze.

It posted earlier: "Due to a fire on the car park shuttle bus, terminal forecourt and surrounded area including parts of the terminal building are being evacuated due to smoke.

"We are investigating this as a matter of urgency and will provide an update shortly."

In a second statement, also released on the social network, it added: "The fire has since been put out and we’re working on returning to normal operations."

However, it later said all departing flights until midnight had been cancelled.</s>Flights are expected to resume at Stansted Airport today after a fire on a passenger shuttle bus forced ALL departures to be cancelled.

Passengers described panic and confusion as the bus burst into flames on Friday afternoon, belching thick black smoke that clouded much of the front of the terminal building.

The airport cancelled all departing flights until midnight, but services were set to resume as normal on Saturday.

"Following the earlier incident involving a shuttle bus fire on the terminal forecourt, we confirm that the airport will be open tomorrow and flights are expected to operate as normal," the airport tweeted.

"Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information with their airlines."

Shocking footage showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from outside the entrance of the main terminal after the car park shuttle bus caught fire.

The blaze is believed to have been caused by an engine electrical fault on the vehicle.

The bus, which was well alight when firefighters arrived at the scene, has been "completely destroyed", while "much of the front of the terminal building" has suffered smoke damage.

The fire was completely extinguished by 5.02pm on Friday, and no injuries were reported.

While passengers in parts of the terminal building were evacuated due to smoke during the incident, others were reportedly told to remain where they were.

Taylor Fulton-Ward, 18, from Hertfordshire, who was flying to Dublin, Ireland, with her family for the Easter weekend, claimed people were "pushing and panicking" after certain doors were not open to allow people to leave.

She claimed: "We arrived at the airport and after a lot of waiting we got through security and staff told us all flights were running but delayed.

"After an hour, our flight disappeared from the board with no communication. We went back through to check in to try and re-book the flight but the crowds were crazy.

"Announcements were telling us to leave the building, but the doors were not open - so people began pushing and panicking. The biggest problem was not being able to get out the doors and a lack of communication."

Fitness trainer Julia Buckley posted a video from inside the airport on Twitter, writing: "It's getting packed in here! They're not letting anyone leave."

An airport spokesman said some exits were cordoned off to protect passengers from the burning bus, which was very close to some of the doors.

But he said staff were doing all they could to guide passengers to alternative exits.

Some passengers were given the option of having their luggage mailed to their home address if they needed to leave the Essex-based airport quickly.

A statement on the airport's official Twitter page read this evening: "All departing flights until midnight have now been cancelled and passengers are politely asked to leave the Airport.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and advise you to re-book your flight with the airline."

Taking to social media earlier, some witnesses had described how the bus apparently set ablaze near the terminal's car park - with one claiming she saw a "fireball".

Twitter user Rachel Ann Alger shared footage of smoke streaming into the air on the site, writing: "Something's happened at stansted airport, looks like a bus, fireball!"

A second user posted: "Stuck before border control because there's a fire at Stansted airport, can see a fair bit of smoke but seen a video just now with a whole coach on fire."

And a third wrote: "Fire near Stansted airport?!? I'm in the carpark and just see smoke.

"Anyone know what's going on? stansted fire."

Other users described how police officers were diverting traffic away from the area.

In a statement on its website, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters were called to a fire at Stansted Airport this afternoon. Crews reported on arrival that a bus, positioned outside the terminal entrance, was well alight.

"Due to the volume of smoke, the terminal was partially evacuated while firefighters extinguished the fire. The fire was extinguished completely by 5.02pm.

"The bus has been completely destroyed, while much of the front of the terminal building has suffered smoke damage.

"We believe the fire was caused accidentally by an electrical fault on the bus."

Stansted Airport confirmed via Twitter that the terminal forecourt and parts of the terminal building had been evacuated because of the blaze.

It posted earlier: "Due to a fire on the car park shuttle bus, terminal forecourt and surrounded area including parts of the terminal building are being evacuated due to smoke.

"We are investigating this as a matter of urgency and will provide an update shortly."

In a second statement, also released on the social network, it added: "The fire has since been put out and we’re working on returning to normal operations."

However, it later said all departing flights until midnight had been cancelled.</s>Share this article with Google Plus

Flights are expected to return to normal at Stansted Airport today after a massive fire grounded planes.

Passengers described panic and confusion as the bus burst into flames, sending thick black smoke skywards outside the terminal building.

The airport cancelled all departing flights until midnight, but services have resumed today.

‘Following the earlier incident involving a shuttle bus fire on the terminal forecourt, we confirm that the airport will be open tomorrow and flights are expected to operate as normal,’ the airport tweeted.

‘Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information with their airlines.’

There were no reported injuries in the blaze which began at around 4.20pm.

The bus was completely alight when firefighters appeared on the scene.

They had the blaze under control less than an hour after it started, Essex Fire and Rescue Service said.

Several passengers expressed disappointment on social media at how the evacuation was handled.

Taylor Fulton-Ward, 18, from Hertfordshire, who was flying to Dublin with her family for the Easter weekend, said people were ‘pushing and panicking’ after certain doors were not open to allow people to leave.

She said: ‘We arrived at the airport and after a lot of waiting we got through security and staff told us all flights were running but delayed.

‘After an hour, our flight disappeared from the board with no communication. We went back through to check in to try and re-book the flight but the crowds were crazy.

‘Announcements were telling us to leave the building, but the doors were not open – so people began pushing and panicking.

‘The biggest problem was not being able to get out the doors and a lack of communication.’

A spokesman for the airport said some exits were cordoned off to protect passengers from the burning bus, which was very close to some of the doors, but staff were doing all they could to guide passengers to alternative exits.

Some passengers were given the option of having their luggage mailed to their home address if they needed to leave the airport quickly.

The airport have said it will be operating a normal schedule as of Saturday morning.</s>A shocking sight for passengers at an airport in London.Cell phone video shows what looked like a wall of fire right outside the doors to the terminals.The scary situation was a shuttle bus engulfed in flames.The fire sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky and forced Stansted Airport officials to cancel flights last night.All airport operations are back to normal Saturday morning.Officials say an electrical issue sparked the fire, and no one was hurt.------
Stansted Airport in the United Kingdom reopens after a shuttle bus fire.