On May 15, 2022, a fire broke out at Terminal 2 of Singapore’s Changi Airport, causing significant disruption to flights and leaving many travelers stranded. Here is a timeline of the events leading up to and following the fire:
1:30 PM: Fire Breaks Out
The fire started at around 1:30 PM local time in a restricted area of Terminal 2, near the baggage handling system. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
1:45 PM: Evacuations Begin
As soon as the fire was discovered, the airport authorities began evacuating passengers and staff from Terminal 2. All flights in and out of the terminal were suspended.
2:00 PM: Firefighters Arrive
Firefighters from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived on the scene within minutes and began fighting the fire. The fire was contained within an hour.
2:30 PM: Fire Extinguished
The SCDF declared the fire extinguished at around 2:30 PM. However, smoke continued to fill the terminal, making it unsafe for passengers to re-enter.
3:00 PM: Terminal 2 Closed
Terminal 2 was closed to all passengers and staff, and all flights in and out of the terminal were canceled.
4:00 PM: Passengers Rerouted
Affected passengers were rerouted to Terminal 1 or Terminal 3. Some flights were delayed or canceled.
5:00 PM: Terminal 2 Partially Reopens
At around 5:00 PM, Terminal 2 partially reopened, with some flights resuming operations. However, the affected area of the terminal remained closed.
6:00 PM: Full Operations Resume
By 6:00 PM, all flights were operating normally out of Terminal 2. The affected area of the terminal remained closed for further investigation.
Impact of the Fire
The fire at Terminal 2 had a significant impact on air travel in Singapore. Over 200 flights were affected, and thousands of passengers were stranded. The airport also suffered significant damage, with the baggage handling system being severely damaged.
Response to the Fire
The response to the fire was swift and effective. The SCDF was able to quickly contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the airport. The airport authorities also worked quickly to evacuate passengers and staff and to reroute affected flights.
Investigation into the Fire
The SCDF is currently investigating the cause of the fire. The investigation is expected to take several weeks.
Lessons Learned
The fire at Terminal 2 is a reminder of the importance of fire safety in airports. Airports are busy places with a lot of potential fire hazards. It is important to have robust fire safety measures in place to prevent fires from starting and to minimize their impact if they do occur.
Recommendations for Improving Fire Safety at Airports
In light of the fire at Terminal 2, there are several recommendations that can be made for improving fire safety at airports:
- Install more smoke detectors and fire sprinklers.
- Conduct regular fire drills to ensure that staff and passengers know what to do in the event of a fire.
- Improve fire safety training for staff.
- Invest in new fire-resistant materials for use in airport construction.
- Develop new technologies to detect and extinguish fires quickly.
By taking these steps, airports can help to prevent fires from starting and to minimize their impact if they do occur, enhancing the safety of passengers and staff.
Conclusion
The fire at Terminal 2 was a serious incident that disrupted air travel in Singapore. However, the response to the fire was swift and effective, and the airport was able to resume normal operations within a few hours. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and recommendations have been made to improve fire safety at airports.
