Background
On February 15, 2023, an X-ray machine at Changi Airport caught fire, causing significant disruption to operations. The fire began at around 10:30 AM local time and took several hours to extinguish.
Cause of the Fire
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the X-ray machine’s power supply unit. The specific cause of the fault is still under investigation.
Impact on Operations
The fire caused widespread disruption to operations at Changi Airport. Terminal 3 was temporarily closed, and all flights departing from and arriving at that terminal were delayed or canceled. The fire also affected operations at other terminals, as passengers were redirected to different screening areas.
Injuries and Damages
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. The X-ray machine was completely destroyed, and the surrounding area sustained some damage. The total cost of the damage is still being assessed.
Response and Recovery
Airport authorities responded quickly to the fire, evacuating the affected areas and deploying fire crews to extinguish the blaze. Once the fire was under control, teams worked to clean up the damaged area and restore operations.
Terminal 3 was fully reopened by 6:00 PM the same day, and all flights resumed normal operations. However, some delays and disruptions continued for several days as the airport worked to catch up with the backlog of passengers.
Lessons Learned
The Changi Airport X-ray machine fire has prompted airport authorities to conduct a thorough review of their safety procedures and protocols. The airport has also implemented new measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Conclusion
The fire at Changi Airport’s X-ray machine was a significant event that caused disruption to operations and highlighted the importance of robust airport safety measures. While no injuries were reported, the incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with airport operations. Airport authorities are committed to learning from this incident and implementing measures to improve safety and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
