A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire that engulfed a car park utilized by Gatwick airport passengers, resulting in the destruction of approximately 140 vehicles.
The fire broke out at Caldyne Business Park near Crawley, roughly eight miles from the airport, just after 9 p.m. on Saturday. Images showed vehicles on fire and enormous plumes of smoke rising close to overhead power lines.
The incident caused significant distress for holiday travelers returning to find their vehicles destroyed, and also resulted in power outages affecting over 2,000 businesses and homes.
Emergency services characterized the firefighting effort as a significant and complex operation, deploying eight fire engines and water carriers to bring the blaze under control.
UK Power Networks, which manages the electricity network across southeast England, was required to isolate an overhead power cable while emergency crews worked beneath it.
A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson stated that approximately 140 vehicles sustained damage, many of which were parked at a holiday parking facility, and advised affected consumers to contact their parking operator directly.
Authorities confirmed there were no casualties.
The fire also inflicted significant damage on two breakdown and recovery businesses, as well as a banger racing team.
The Bears banger racing team launched a fundraiser stating they had lost everything in the fire.
According to local reports, Autocovery and K&L Automotive had previously donated abandoned vehicles to fire stations across West Sussex for training purposes.
Sussex Police confirmed that a 67-year-old man arrested on suspicion of arson has been bailed pending further investigations.
A spokesperson noted that power was shut off to the immediate area, affecting multiple businesses and homes, and that nearby roads were closed as a precaution.
Emergency services remain on scene, and the public are advised to avoid the area.
A London Gatwick spokesperson confirmed awareness of a fire at an unaffiliated third-party car parking site that occurred Saturday evening, acknowledging the distress it has caused passengers whose vehicles may have been affected.
The spokesperson advised any concerned passengers to contact their parking operator directly.
Gatwick emphasized that the parking company is not endorsed or operated by the airport.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to report it online or call 101, quoting serial number 1504.
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