An escalator fire at John F. Kennedy International Airport injured at least nine people on Wednesday, prompting an emergency response and significant disruptions to flight operations.

Emergency Response and Evacuations

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) received a report of smoke shortly after 7 a.m. local time and swiftly evacuated Terminal 8 to address the smoke condition. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reported that four of the nine injured individuals were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, while the remaining injuries were deemed minor. “Flight operations at Terminal 8 have been impacted. Please check with your airline to determine the status of your flight,” the airport advised in a post on X. Nearly 1,000 passengers were bused to other parts of the terminal where operations continued as usual, according to officials.

Impact on Flight Operations

The incident led to significant delays in flight operations at JFK. By 11 a.m., more than 160 flights were delayed, according to flight tracker FlightAware. This disruption added to the challenges faced by Delta Airlines, which was still recovering from a technology outage that had resulted in thousands of flight cancellations. The airport’s advisory on X emphasized the importance of checking with airlines for updated flight statuses, as the fire’s impact on Terminal 8’s operations was considerable.

Investigation and Aftermath

The cause of the escalator fire is currently under investigation. While officials work to determine what sparked the blaze, the priority remains the safety of passengers and staff, as well as the restoration of normal airport operations. Passengers affected by the delays expressed frustration over the compounded disruptions, with some having faced previous cancellations due to Delta’s technology issues.

Despite the setbacks, airport officials are working diligently to minimize further disruptions and ensure that operations return to normal as quickly as possible. The FDNY and Port Authority are collaborating to ensure that the investigation is thorough, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future. The swift response from emergency services and the subsequent evacuation likely prevented more severe injuries and potential fatalities. The incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the need for constant vigilance in busy transportation hubs like JFK.