Range Rover that sparked Luton car park fire pictured moments before blaze

A car which sparked a devastating fire at a multi-storey car park at Luton Aiport has been pictured for the first time.

It shows a diesel Red Range Rover which burst into flames at the car park on October 10, 2023.

The car enters at 8.42pm and even at this point CCTV shows smoke coming from the engine.

The driver then stopped the car, left and called 999 five minutes later.

Fire crews arrived at 8.55pm and by 9.07pm six cars were ablaze.

Up to 1,300 vehicles were damaged as a result and it has been found that a sprinkler system could have changed or limited the damage done.

Investigators said the fire was ‘one of the more significant incidents to occur within Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service’s (BFRS) area for many years’.

Wind that blew through the car park resulted in the fire spreading more easily, it was also found.

A sprinkler system while not mandatory would have ‘changed and delayed the pattern of fire spread’.

The crew was assisted by Luton Airport Fire Service and also benefitted from being near large water tanks on the adjacent airfield.

Investigators said: ‘Bedfordshire FRS has routinely promoted the installation of sprinkler systems into all buildings through the planning process since 2019 and during building regulation consultations since 2022.

‘However, the service cannot mandate sprinklers in open-sided multi-storey car parks similar to Terminal Car Park 2.

‘A change in guidance and legislation at a national level should be considered to make automatic fire suppression systems (such as sprinklers) mandatory in all new open-sided multi-storey car parks.’

The BFRS report added: ‘There is no evidence to demonstrate that the presence of electric vehicles parked in the car park had a detrimental impact on the outcome of the fire.’

The report said quick-thinking fire crews on the scene ‘almost certainly saved lives’ by recognising early the warning signs of building collapse and evacuating the site.

These crews also included Hertfordshire, London, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

It was because of their efforts that the fire did not spread to nearby Luton Dart rail service or Car Park 1, the report stated.

It was confirmed earlier this year that a man arrested after the fire will face no further action.

The police investigation has now concluded and it has been handed over to the fire service.

The man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

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