Several people were taken to the hospital after an escalator caught fire at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told ABC News.
The small fire in Concourse C sent smoke billowing through the airport’s Terminal 8 at about 7 a.m.
Nine people received minor injuries due to smoke inhalation, four of whom were hospitalized, according to New York ABC station WABC. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
About 960 people were evacuated on buses to another area of the terminal, officials said.
One traveler, Nate Peckinpaugh, told ABC News he had been about to board a flight from New York to Washington, D.C., when the fire broke out.
“I was catching a flight at the exact terminal we evacuated from. The alarm was going off for a long time and no one was paying attention,” Peckinpaugh told ABC News.
First responders at JFK International airport after an escalator fire, July 24, 2024.
WABC
“Eventually this woman started running around and yelling for someone to help,” he added.
Peckinpaugh recorded the incident on his phone, from the alarm going off at the terminal to passengers being escorted outside, some covering their faces from the smoke. Firefighters were then seen arriving at the scene, with a few people being rescued from the jet bridge while others were being put on stretchers to receive assistance.
Operations had resumed in the terminal by about 8:15 a.m., officials said, and the cause of the fire is now under investigation.
A recent escalator fire at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City has left nine people injured and hundreds evacuated from the terminal. The incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, has raised concerns about the safety of escalators in busy transportation hubs.
According to reports, the fire broke out on an escalator in Terminal 4 of the airport, which serves as a major hub for international flights. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that it may have been sparked by a malfunction in the escalator’s electrical system.
The blaze quickly spread, causing panic among passengers and airport staff. Nine people were injured in the incident, with three individuals suffering from smoke inhalation and six others sustaining minor burns. All of the injured were treated at the scene by emergency responders and transported to local hospitals for further evaluation.
In response to the fire, airport officials made the decision to evacuate the terminal as a precautionary measure. Hundreds of passengers were forced to leave the building, causing delays and disruptions to flight schedules. The evacuation was carried out in an orderly fashion, with airport staff guiding passengers to safety and providing assistance as needed.
The escalator fire at JFK airport serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and safety inspections for escalators in public spaces. Escalators are a common feature in airports, shopping malls, and other high-traffic areas, and it is crucial that they are kept in good working order to prevent accidents and injuries.
Airport authorities have assured the public that they are taking steps to ensure the safety of all escalators in the terminal. In the meantime, passengers are advised to exercise caution when using escalators and report any signs of malfunction or damage to airport staff immediately.
As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, travelers are reminded to stay informed and follow instructions from airport personnel in the event of an emergency. By remaining vigilant and proactive about safety measures, we can help prevent incidents like the escalator fire at JFK airport from happening again in the future.
