Gatwick airport explosion as car blows up in huge ball of flames

One witness described the episode as “traumatic” and said it sounded like explosions or gunshots.

A car was completely destroyed after it burst into flames at Gatwick Airport.

In footage of the incident obtained by The Mirror, people could be heard screaming as the tyres blew out and the vehicle exploded before going up in a huge ball of fire.

The car, a dark-coloured Volkswagen, began smoking as it pulled up to the exit barrier of Car Park 6. During the incident, a driver in a nearby AA van jumped out with a fire extinguisher to try and lend a hand.

One witness described the episode as “traumatic”. Remaining anonymous, they said: “It was quite traumatic as it was a full on blaze. People were screaming as the tyres were blowing out - and it sounded like explosions or gunshots. I saw the whole thing.

“The vehicle pulled up to the barriers and then it started smoking. A man in an AA van got out with a fire extinguisher but he couldn’t put out the smoke. The smoke turned into flames and then the car erupted into a full blazing inferno. The pillar next to the car even started catching fire and burning.”

The man, who was on a seven-hour layover and had gone outside to get some fresh air, said he believes the driver escaped the fire. He said: “A person seemed to climb out of the car when it started smoking - but I couldn’t really see. I don’t know how many people there were.”

Eyewitness Simon Doce told Sussex News they could “smell the fire as soon at they walked out”. He said: “Then, as we walked further round, we saw the vehicle fully on fire.”

The blaze has since been put out by firefighters. Two engines from the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) attended.

A WSFRS spokesperson said: “We are still urging residents living nearby to avoid the area near to the north terminal carpark to ensure safety of the public, staff and other airport users.”

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “The airport Fire Service responded to a vehicle fire outside a North Terminal car park this afternoon. The fire has now been resolved. Car access to the North Terminal was temporarily suspended while we dealt with the incident, but have since reopened.”

No injuries in connection with the fire were reported.