Summary Charlotte Douglas Airport experienced a multi-story car park fire, injuring three individuals. Firefighters contained the blaze, but the parking area remains closed due to ventilation and smoke concerns. This is the second fire incident at the airport in recent months; operations were unaffected.
Passengers and onlookers were shocked to witness the multi-story car park on fire at North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Saturday morning. Plumes of smoke raised two alarms, and the Charlotte Fire Department was deployed to the scene. Various reports identified multiple cars on fire, and three people were injured, one of whom was taken to a local hospital for further observation.
Firefighters worked with the airport operations and hazmat teams to manage fuel runoff and control the blaze. However, due to ventilation and smoke conditions, the parking area will remain closed. This includes the hourly parking deck, valet parking, and the upper level of the departure roadway, as advised by airport staff on X .
Smoke plumes seen from the runway Witness accounts recall black smoke being visible from the runway for the blaze in the parking building. Within ten minutes of firefighters arriving on the scene, they were able to contain the blaze. As a precaution, a second alarm was raised to enable more resources to be deployed to the airport.
Airport operations were unhindered as it did not affect arriving and departing flights; however, parking delays are expect.