Blaze Triggers Evacuation In The International Departures Terminal Of Bucharest Airport Otopeni

The fire that broke out Saturday afternoon on Bucharest airport "Henri Coanda" Otopeni was put out after an intervention that lasted some two hours. Air traffic was resumed and 12 flights were delayed.

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Airport official Mihaela Chiril told MEDIAFAX that the terminal – evacuated during the intervention – was reopened for passengers, and employees were called back to their posts to resume normal operations.

"The fire was extinguished and passengers were called back in to resume pre-flight procedures," Chiril said.

She added 12 flights were delayed because of the blaze. The first flight was supposed to leave at 15.50 local time.

"Only 12 flights had their departure times changed. The first one will leave around 19.20, given the fact it takes two hours to board the passengers and operations were resumed around 17.20," Chiril said.

She could not state the contents of the warehouse that caught fire, nor the cause of the blaze, adding she awaits the completion of investigations unfolded by firefighters.

The international departures terminal within the Henri Coanda Otopeni Airport in Bucharest was evacuated Saturday because of a fire that started in the basement.

According to airport official Mihaela Chiril the fire started around 15:10, in the basement of the international departures terminal.

Passanbgers were evacuated and firefighters came in to extinguish the flames.

The head of the County Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, colonel Claudiu Avram, told MEDIAFAX that the fire started in a warehouse.

"The initial impression was that this is a small fire and civilian firefighters, employed by the airport, tried to extinguish it. They soon realized that the blaze is stronger than they thought and called us in," Avram said.

He could not state the contents of the warehouse, saying only that the firefighters had a tough time with all the black smoke flooding the room.

Around 16:00 local time firefighting crews were in trying to extinguish the fire, after having located it.

All firefighter crews in the area were sent in, each using water and foam against the flames.

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