Major UK airport is evacuated as fire alarm sounded amid theories about the cause
Gatwick Airport was evacuated this morning after a fire alarm sounded, with theories emerging that it was caused by a ‘vaping’ passenger.
Earlier this morning, reports began to emerge online as passengers questioned what was happening, with one claiming they were ‘stuck’ in the north Terminal of the airport.
Alongside an image of a group of confused travellers, the caption read: ‘Stuck at Gatwick. They are not letting us out of the security area. No announcements.’
Theories began to emerge online about the incident, with one infuriated passenger claiming somebody had ‘opened an emergency door exit to vape’.
However this has since been denied by a spokesperson from Gatwick Airport.
It is understood that the evacuation concluded at 8.30am, with travellers allowed to the return to the terminal.
Flights are also set to continue as normal for the rest of the day.
It believed a fire alarm was activated in one of the retail units located in the airport’s departure lounge, however there was no fire.
Gatwick was evacuated earlier this morning after an fire alarm was sounded, causing theories to swirl online that it was sparked by a ‘vaping’ passenger (Pictured: Gatwick’s North Terminal)
A crowd of confused passengers were pictured ‘stuck’ at the airport. A Gatwick spokesperson has since denied claims
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: ‘The North Terminal was evacuated this morning following a fire alarm activation.
‘The terminal is now back open and evacuated passengers have been processed back through security as quickly as possible.’
It comes after Gatwick Airport’s station was evacuated in January as emergency services scrambled to the scene when a train caught fire.
All trains were temporarily prevented from calling at Gatwick Airport train station after a fire alarm which saw all rail passengers evacuated to the South Terminal, a spokesman said at the time.
The National Rail website said Gatwick Express services were suspended and there was a reduced service between Bedford and Three Bridges.
Video footage shared on social media showed a train with black smoke pouring from one carriage and flames close to the track.
Several passengers took to social media, complaining they were ‘crammed’ with no further information
Gatwick have since confirmed the fire alarm, which is understood to have been activated in one of the retail units, was not caused by a vaping passenger
The train was believed to be a service from Bournemouth to London Victoria.
Earlier in November droves of passengers were also evacuated from Gatwick, as the airport went into lockdown after they were alerted to a ‘suspicious package.
Sussex Police were called to the South Terminal at 8.20am on November 23 following the discovery of ‘suspected prohibited item in luggage’.
A bomb squad was also deployed as a ‘precaution’, with the incident causing massive disruption both to inbound and outbound flights.
Two passengers were temporarily detained by authorities before they were released and allowed to continue their travel.