Stansted Airport was thrown into chaos this morning after a fire alarm triggered an evacuation of the check-in area, leaving passengers fearing they would miss their flights. The alarm sounded in the departures area, prompting fire crews to rush to the scene.
A Stansted spokesman confirmed that the evacuation was carried out under normal procedures and that the alarm was stood down around 12:30pm, allowing passengers to re-enter the terminal. The airport's operations are returning to normal.
Passengers took to social media to express frustration. One traveller, Harry, described it as the "worst fire evacuation" he had ever seen, citing panicking staff and a lack of direction. Another passenger reported "general pandemonium" and assumed they would miss their flight.
The incident follows a similar evacuation at Gatwick Airport the previous day, where a fire alarm led to crowds gathering outside the north terminal. Passengers there also complained of poor guidance from staff.
A Stansted spokesman said: "There was a fire alarm detection in Landside departures. The check in area was evacuated under normal procedures and is imminently going to be stood down with operation going back to normal."
