Stansted Airport was evacuated this morning after a fire alarm triggered in the departures area, causing travel chaos and leaving passengers fearing they would miss their flights. The check-in area was cleared under normal procedures, and the fire brigade attended the scene.
A Stansted spokesman confirmed that the alarm was stood down around 12:30pm, allowing passengers to re-enter the terminal. The incident follows a similar evacuation at Gatwick Airport the previous day, where a fire alarm led to the north terminal being cleared.
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 tweeted about 'general pandemonium' and missing their flight.
A bus passenger reported being unable to disembark at the airport due to the evacuation. The airport spokesman said operations were returning to normal shortly after the alarm was stood down.
Essex County Fire & Rescue Service has been contacted for comment. The back-to-back evacuations at two major London airports have raised concerns among travellers about emergency procedures and communication.
