This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Stansted airport has cancelled all departing flights until midnight on Good Friday after a fire engulfed a car park shuttle bus outside the terminal building.

Passengers were asked to leave the airport and rebook their flights following the “accidental” blaze which fire crews believe was triggered by an electrical fault. No injuries were reported.

The move is likely to anger holidaymakers keen to take advantage of the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The blazing bus could clearly be seen through glass doors at the entrance to the terminal. Photograph: Social Media/Reuters

The airport said on Twitter that all flights had been cancelled for the day and advised passengers to leave the airport and re-book with their airline.

Stansted Airport (@STN_Airport) #ADVISORY 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.

The terminal building was evacuated on Friday afternoon and four fire crews fought the blaze just outside the airport.

Images posted on social media showed a coach alight with thick grey smoke billowing from the vehicle, beside the terminal building in Essex.



The blaze was put out just after 5pm and firefighters continued to monitor the scene. The bus was completely destroyed and the terminal suffered smoke damage, Essex fire and

The UK’s fourth busiest, airport said the blaze was being investigated “as a matter of urgency”.

A statement from the fire service said: “Firefighters are currently at the scene of an incident at Stansted airport. 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. Firefighters are still at the scene using thermal imaging cameras to ensure there are no remaining hotspots in the area.

It later added: “We believe the fire was caused accidentally by an electrical fault on the bus.”

Departures had looked hopeful earlier in the evening after Stansted said they were working to re-screen all passengers due to fly out on Friday.