SINGAPORE – Travellers with flights leaving Changi Airport Terminal 2 on Tuesday (May 16) night have been warned to brace for “significant delays”, after a “small fire” at the departure hall sparked a major evacuation.
“Passengers on flights departing from T2 this evening should expect significant delays,” Changi Airport Group (CAG) said in a Facebook post, adding in a subsequent update that all flights departing and arriving at T2 had been moved to T3 until further notice.
CAG added: “Passengers should check the flight information screens in the terminal and on the Changi Airport website for check-in row, departure gate and baggage belt details.
“Despite these arrangements, we expect significant delays to departing and arriving flights at Changi Airport this evening. Changi Airport Group apologises for the inconvenience caused.”
Singapore Airlines said all its flights departing and arriving at T2 have been delayed until further notice. “We are working closely with the airport authority and various agencies to ensure flights can be resumed in the shortest time possible. More updates will be available on our Facebook and Twitter pages,” the airline said in a statement.
According to CAG, the fire broke out at about 5:40pm. The fire alarm was activated due to smoke coming through the air vents. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook at 7.04pm that it had put out the “small fire” using a hosereel jet.
Three people had to be taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, the SCDF added without giving further details.
Travellers with flights on Tuesday were seen being admitted back into the terminal. But they were only allowed to walk to T3 via the indoor SMRT link bridge.
Services at T2 have not resumed and the terminal remains evacuated. All incoming flights have been diverted to T3, according to an update for travellers at the airport.
Aftermath of a fire at Changi Airport terminal 2 on May 16, 2017. Photo: Jason Quah
In social media posts, eyewitnesses described the terminal as being smoke-filled but added that they could not see any flames.
“We have identified the cause of the fire. The situation is under control,” said CAG on Facebook. “Flight operations at T2 are affected. We seek the understanding of the public.”
Malaysian national Serene Yap, who was waiting for her flight at T 2, said the alarm went off for about 15 mins before airport personnel evacuated the passengers. The 52-year-old human resource consultant was in Singapore for a business trip and is travelling back to Kuala Lumpur.
She said: “The situation is not really chaotic but passengers are confused because we don’t know what’s going on. I asked about whether my flight will be delayed but they don’t know the answer.”
A Singaporean in his 40s who only wanted to be known as Mr Seng similarly said he was about to enter the immigration hall to catch a 7.25pm flight to Manila when he was told he won’t be admitted.
Another passenger who only wanted to be known as Mr Lim told TODAY that the evacuated passengers had been moved to the T3 arrival hall.
But he has not received updates on when he can board his flight to Kuala Lumpur, adding: “Airlines have our mobile phone numbers and systems that ought to send us message on what to do… But there have been no updates at all.”
SBS Transit said in a Facebook update at 7pm that Services 24, 27 and 53 will skip the bus stop at Changi Airport PTB2 due to the fire.
This story is developing.
