Gatwick airport has been evacuated as fire alarms sounds as theories swirl that a vaping passenger could be to blame.
Earlier this morning, reports began to emerge online with one passenger claiming there were ‘stuck’ at the airport.
Alongside an image of a group of confused travellers, the caption read: ‘Stuck at Gatwick. They are not letting us out of the security area. No announcements.’
Theories began to emerge online about the incident, with one infuriated passenger claiming somebody had ‘opened an emergency door exit to vape’.
However this has since been denied by a spokesperson from Gatwick airport.
It is understood that the evacuation concluded at 8.30am, with travellers allowed to the return to the terminal.
Flights are also set to continue as normal for the rest of the day.
Gatwick airport has been evacuated as fire alarms sounds as theories swirl that a vaping passenger could be to blame.
A crowd of confused passengers were pictured ‘stuck’ at the airport. A Gatwick spokesperson has since denied claims
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: ‘The North Terminal was evacuated this morning following a fire alarm activation.
‘The terminal is now back open and evacuated passengers have been processed back through security as quickly as possible.’
It is understood a fire alarm was activated in one of the retail units located in the airports departure lounge, however there was no fire.
It comes after Gatwick Airport’s station was evacuated in January as emergency services scrambled to the scene when a train caught fire.
All trains were temporarily prevented from calling at Gatwick Airport train station after a fire alarm which saw all rail passengers evacuated to the South Terminal, a spokesman said at the time.
The National Rail website said Gatwick Express services were suspended and there was a reduced service between Bedford and Three Bridges.
Video footage shared on social media showed a train with black smoke pouring from one carriage and flames close to the track.
The train was believed to be a service from Bournemouth to London Victoria.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.