Singapore shuts airport terminal after fire; flights delayed

SINGAPORE – A fire broke out Tuesday at Singapore’s Changi Airport, causing the closure of a terminal and lengthy delays as passengers and flights were moved, officials said.

The airport said smoke began issuing from air vents in Terminal 2 and an evacuation of the terminal was begun.

It said it had identified the cause of the fire, but did not give further details.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said firefighters arrived within minutes and put out a small fire. Three people were taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation.

The airport said flights were moved to another terminal.

“We expect significant delays to departing and arriving flights at Changi Airport this evening,” it said.

A record 58.7 million passengers used the airport’s three terminals last year. A new terminal is to be opened later this year.