Malaysia’s low-cost airport evacuated due to fire
Associated Press reports that Malaysia’s low-cost airport terminal has been evacuated and flights delayed after a fire broke out Friday in a duty-free shop. Airport fire chief Jasni Ali said the blaze caused thick smoke at the terminal and forced the evacuation of all passengers and airport staff. He said shop staff managed to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher before two fire trucks arrived. Nobody was injured. Azmi Murad, senior GM with operator Malaysia Airports, said the blaze was caused by sparks from construction works to expand the terminal. Work was being done above the ceiling of the duty-free shop at the time and some sparks fell on a box that caught fire, he said. Malaysia Airports is investigating whether it was due to negligence of the construction workers and will take measures to improve safety measures, he added. AirAsia is the anchor tenant at the airport, which opened in 2006. Other airlines based there are Cebu Pacific and Tiger Airways. The terminal is 20 kilometres from the main Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The expansion work is aimed at increasing airport capacity to 15m passengers a year, from 10m now.
Prahok @ January 12, 2009