Hottest ticket in town: fire closes Qantas Club lounge

[Ryan N]

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...330-1w1uy.html

The Qantas Club lounge at Melbourne Airport will be closed to passengers today after a fire broke out in a refrigerator and spread throughout the lounge’s kitchen early this morning.

The blaze ignited in the fridge’s motor about 2.45am and sent smoke billowing throughout the airport’s terminal one.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade commander of operations Mark O’Connor said the blaze was contained to an area of about nine square metres, however the Qantas Club’s floor was significantly damaged by water.


Smoke also wafted through the entire terminal, he said.

A fire alarm alerted Melbourne Airport firefighters to the blaze, and they were joined by firefighters from the MFB and the Country Fire Authority.

Mr O’Connor estimated the blaze caused up to $50,000 damage to the Qantas Club lounge, but said costs were expected to rise.

‘‘The kitchen will be closed all day so there is a lot of ongoing costs,’’ he said.

Mr O’Connor said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

The fire has not affected flights from Melbourne Airport this morning.

[Philip Argy]

Well, it's the thought that counts:

http://twitpic.com/934yhc

[Scott Loveday]

Yep, I was on the QF775 MEL/PER at 6:10am Friday morning. Given the terminal was closed until about 5:30am, the security checkpoint queues were rather sizeable. Was virtually impossible to get breakfast anywhere because retailers / food vendors couldn't get in earlier to set up for the day. Not even a lazy Krispy Kreme could be had!

Kudos to the various staff in the terminal and to QF who despite the obvious setbacks still managed to get flights away on time and kept a good humour about it (particularly the security screeners). QF offered apologies and refreshments at gate 21 if anyone was headed that way.

Stayed at the Parkroyal at the airport on Thursday night too and heard the sirens just before 3am. Couldn't quite see the action through as I had a room facing the multi-storey carpark.

[Owen H]

Scott - hope we looked after you on the 775 and the breakfast was good! The beauty of being the operating crew is we get to push in to the front of the security queue .

[Scott Loveday]

Thanks for the ride Owen. I didn't realise it was you up front. Breakfast wasn't too bad on Friday. Did you guys turn around and head straight back to Melbourne or did you have some time for a $5 Perth coffee?

[Owen H]

Straight back I'm afraid. No rest for the wicked!