Buster Hyman
15th Jan 2009, 00:15
David Prestipino and Joseph Sapienza
January 15, 2009 - 11:57AM
Around 500 passengers are stranded at Perth International Airport after smoke in a baggage hall forced a full evacuation this morning.
Around 2000 airport staff and passengers were evacuated by security after smoke was discovered coming from a luggage chutes.
Staff are now back inside the airport but it will be another hour before passengers are allowed in.
Airport spokesperson Malcolm Bradshaw said fire and rescue crews were still investigating the cause of the fire, which occurred just after 7am this morning, but it was under control.
Anxious passengers and staff are not being allowed back in the airport as the ground floor is still very smoky.
Mr Bradshaw said planes were still able to land at the terminal but departures had been delayed.
He said there would be no flight cancellations.
Arriving passengers on Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines flights would be processed before airport staff reopen the terminal for outbound passengers.
Authorities said safety was a "priority" before they opened the doors.
An employee from Budget Rent-A-Car rang 6PR radio (http://www.6pr.com.au/)'s Breakfast program at 7.30am and confirmed the evacuation.
"My sister and I smelled a smokey-type smell. It was almost like sparklers or burnt rubber," she said.
"We were about to board the plane and the alert sound came on and we all prepared to evacuate.
"Then the evacuation sound came on and we were directed to evacuate outside the building."
Amy said she was about to go through Customs when the evacuation sounded.
She said her friends who had already passed through Customs were left sitting on the airport tarmac after being evacuated from the terminal.
She said passengers had been told that every flight from the airport has been grounded until further notice.
Security personnel at the airport directed the full evacuation around 7am.
It is understood no planes have been moved.
January 15, 2009 - 11:57AM
Around 500 passengers are stranded at Perth International Airport after smoke in a baggage hall forced a full evacuation this morning.
Around 2000 airport staff and passengers were evacuated by security after smoke was discovered coming from a luggage chutes.
Staff are now back inside the airport but it will be another hour before passengers are allowed in.
Airport spokesperson Malcolm Bradshaw said fire and rescue crews were still investigating the cause of the fire, which occurred just after 7am this morning, but it was under control.
Anxious passengers and staff are not being allowed back in the airport as the ground floor is still very smoky.
Mr Bradshaw said planes were still able to land at the terminal but departures had been delayed.
He said there would be no flight cancellations.
Arriving passengers on Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines flights would be processed before airport staff reopen the terminal for outbound passengers.
Authorities said safety was a "priority" before they opened the doors.
An employee from Budget Rent-A-Car rang 6PR radio (http://www.6pr.com.au/)'s Breakfast program at 7.30am and confirmed the evacuation.
"My sister and I smelled a smokey-type smell. It was almost like sparklers or burnt rubber," she said.
"We were about to board the plane and the alert sound came on and we all prepared to evacuate.
"Then the evacuation sound came on and we were directed to evacuate outside the building."
Amy said she was about to go through Customs when the evacuation sounded.
She said her friends who had already passed through Customs were left sitting on the airport tarmac after being evacuated from the terminal.
She said passengers had been told that every flight from the airport has been grounded until further notice.
Security personnel at the airport directed the full evacuation around 7am.
It is understood no planes have been moved.