Qantas Terminal 1 at Melbourne Airport evacuated following fire

Qantas Terminal 1 at Melbourne Airport in Australia was evacuated on Friday evening after fire alarms were triggered by an unspecified fire. Fire Rescue Victoria and the airport's dedicated aviation fire teams swiftly responded to the incident, ensuring the safety of thousands of passengers and staff. The prompt response led to the complete extinguishment of the fire, though the exact cause and nature of what caught fire were not immediately disclosed by airport authorities.

The evacuation brought Qantas flight operations at the airport to a standstill, with numerous aircraft held on the tarmac unable to proceed to the terminal. Passengers on arriving flights, such as one from Sydney, reported being delayed for over an hour before contingency plans allowed their planes to move. The disruption significantly impacted Qantas's schedule, resulting in delays for both inbound and outbound flights, and several cancellations were listed for major routes including Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide.

While passengers were eventually allowed to return to Terminal 1 after the fire was extinguished, the incident underscored the critical importance of airport safety protocols and emergency response capabilities. Melbourne Airport officials emphasized that the safety of passengers and staff remained their highest priority throughout the event. The full extent and duration of the operational disruptions caused by the evacuation were initially unclear, as airlines worked to manage the backlog of affected flights and re-accommodate passengers.