The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) confirms that shortly before 3:00 pm on Sunday, 7th March, the entire terminal at Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman was evacuated for approximately one hour when smoke was detected by airport security.
Although the exact location of the fire was not immediately known, passengers and airport personnel were requested to evacuate the terminal. Air Traffic Services immediately informed The Cayman Islands Fire Service who responded to the scene within one minute. Within a short time fire officers located the small electrical fire, which was in a non-passenger area, in an enclosed wooden section of the A-Frame breezeway on the second floor. Once the electrical power was isolated by airport electricians in the presence of CUC personnel, the small blaze which was contained within the wooden structure was quickly extinguished. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Airport operations were resumed at approximately 4:00pm and the estimated 500 passengers, who were evacuated, were allowed to return to the terminal to complete the check-in process or to be re-screened before returning to the Departure Hall. Approximately three international flights were affected and scheduled departures were delayed between 15-30 minutes.
The CIAA regrets the inconvenience to passengers and other airport users and thanks the Cayman Islands Fire Service and CUC personnel for their prompt response and assistance at the terminal.
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