A significant blaze at a car park serving Gatwick Airport passengers has destroyed approximately 140 vehicles, leaving holidaymakers facing substantial losses as they return from their travels. The fire broke out at Caldyne Business Park in Rowfant near Crawley just after 20:56 on Saturday 22 August, with crews tackling the incident into Monday. A 67-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and released on bail pending further investigation.
Images from the scene captured towering flames and dense smoke billowing above rows of stationary vehicles. The fire service described the blaze as "significant and complex", involving a workshop, electric vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and cylinders, which contributed to the severity of the incident. Eight fire engines and water carriers were deployed at the height of the emergency response.
The parking facility is used by holidaymakers flying from Gatwick but is not owned or operated by the airport itself. A Gatwick Airport spokesperson acknowledged the distress caused to affected passengers and urged those with damaged vehicles to contact police and their parking operator directly.
What caused the widespread power disruption?
The fire resulted in a major power outage affecting more than 2,000 nearby homes on Saturday. UK Power Networks was forced to shut off electricity after high-voltage equipment sustained damage during the blaze. Power has since been restored to all affected properties, with no ongoing outages reported. Residents in the vicinity were advised over the weekend to keep windows and doors closed while emergency crews managed the incident.
What is the investigation status?
A joint investigation involving West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police is now underway to establish the cause of the fire. Sussex Police confirmed that the 67-year-old man arrested on suspicion of arson has been bailed pending further inquiries. Nearby roads remained closed as a precaution while emergency services remained at the scene, with crews continuing to damp down hotspots into the following Monday.
What support is available to affected vehicle owners?
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has advised people whose vehicles were damaged to contact their parking operator directly for assistance with claims and next steps. The airport has stated that the site is not endorsed by London Gatwick, and passengers should work with the parking company and their insurance providers to resolve their losses. No casualties were reported during the incident, though the scale of vehicle destruction represents a significant financial impact for those affected.
What happens next?
Police inquiries are continuing following the arson arrest, with the joint investigation expected to determine the cause of the fire. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service indicated that crews would remain on scene to extinguish remaining hotspots, with ongoing site monitoring expected as the investigation progresses.
