Gatwick Car Park Fire Destroys 140 Vehicles: What Local Residents Need to Know
Devastating Blaze Destroys Hundreds of Vehicles Near Crawley
A catastrophic fire tore through Caldyne Business Park, a major off-airport parking facility serving Gatwick Airport passengers, on Saturday evening, destroying approximately 140 vehicles and leaving hundreds of holiday makers in distress. The blaze erupted shortly after 9pm, with emergency crews battling towering flames and thick smoke visible across the region. Eight fire engines and water carriers responded to the incident, with firefighters remaining on-site into the following week to manage hotspots. The facility operates as a third-party parking provider used by travellers from across Surrey, West Sussex, and surrounding areas including commuters from Guildford, Woking, Dorking, Horsley, and East Horsley who regularly use Gatwick for business and leisure travel. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service confirmed there were no casualties, though the psychological impact on affected passengers has been significant. The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols at privately-operated parking facilities serving the airport.
Impact on Local Community: Power Outages and Business Disruption
Beyond the destroyed vehicles, the fire’s shockwave extended throughout the surrounding community. More than 2,000 nearby homes lost electricity supply, though power has since been restored. Local residents experienced several hours without utilities—a disruption particularly concerning for families managing essential services, small businesses running from home offices, and those relying on refrigeration and heating systems. For context, many homeowners in the area are undertaking renovations; some were mid-project with bathroom refurbishment or kitchen renovation work when power failed, potentially affecting tradespeople like bathroom fitters who rely on electricity for tools and work. Sapphire Parking, the operator of the destroyed facility, has faced enormous operational challenges, cancelling approximately 600 bookings and struggling to communicate with distressed customers. The company acknowledged the nightmare scenario unfolding, emphasizing their limited ability to provide immediate solutions. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in infrastructure resilience and emergency response coordination in our region.
What Affected Travellers Should Do Now
If your vehicle was destroyed or damaged in the fire, contact Sapphire Parking directly as your primary point of contact—not Gatwick Airport itself, which clarified it does not own or operate the site. Document all damage with photographs and obtain your booking confirmation details before reaching out. Insurance claims should be filed immediately with your provider, providing evidence of the incident and parking confirmation. Affected passengers should also report the incident to Sussex Police, particularly if you have relevant information about how the fire started. Police have arrested a 67-year-old man on suspicion of arson; investigations are ongoing. For future travel, consider using Gatwick-endorsed parking facilities or official airport parking to ensure proper insurance coverage and safety standards. Local residents concerned about similar risks at other third-party facilities in the Crawley and surrounding areas should raise questions with their local councillors. Keep checking local news updates for developments in the investigation and any support schemes that may emerge for affected travellers.
Source: Fire destroys 140 cars at site used by Gatwick Airport passengers
