Chaos erupted at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City's Queens borough on Wednesday after an escalator fire filled the terminal with smoke and reportedly injured at least nine people.
The fire has forced hundreds of people to evacuate and at least nine people are reported to have suffered minor injuries. according to Forbes, citing local authorities, reported that the fire caused numerous flights to be delayed or canceled. Normal operations have reportedly resumed.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) told Forbes in a statement that the fire broke out on one of the escalators in the airport's Terminal 8 at around 7 a.m. (Related article: United Airlines plane catches fire during takeoff, flight halted.)
Four people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following the incident, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesman Steve Burns told Forbes, adding that nearly 1,000 people were reportedly evacuated as a result of the incident.
Users on Twitter (formerly known as X) have been sharing photos and videos of the incident, including one showing numerous fire engines and police cars parked on the runway.
It's becoming more and more… #JFK #new york pic.twitter.com/CVxQh2u9DH
— Kiko Champ Alvarez (@Kiko_Alvarez) July 24, 2024
The user who posted the clip also shared another clip. video The caption reads, “Something's happening at #JFKAirport. We can't leave.”
A video shared on X from inside the terminal showed a large group of people milling around as fire alarms rang and smoke filled the air.
A fire was reported at JFK Terminal 8, filling the entire terminal with smoke and causing an evacuation without explanation. pic.twitter.com/imCC74K3ow
— Blank User (@BlankUser685806) July 24, 2024
Official X-account of John F. Kennedy Airport Warned Customer flights are expected to be “affected” this morning.
Burns told Forbes that operations at Terminal 8, which serves major airlines including American Airlines, British Airways and Qatar Airways, resumed as normal just after 8 a.m. He was reported to have added that the investigation was ongoing.
