TWO of the latest Airbus 330 jet engines, valued at more than £14 million, and over £6 million worth of aircraft electronic equipment were saved yesterday afternoon from a fire at Shannon Airport which destroyed two Aer Rianta stores and part of the garage and stores leased by Aer Lingus.
The outbreak occurred 140 yards from the main control tower. It was the biggest fire at the airport since the old wooden control tower was burnt down just 50 years ago.
The airport was closed to traffic from 4 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., when the fire was brought under control. An Aer Rianta spokesman said the reason for the shutdown was that black smoke was being blown across the main runway by the strong southwesterly wind.
Nobody was injured in the fire, which appeared to have started in a storehouse for emergency equipment. A number of muffled explosions were heard which blew out the windows and buckled the corrugated walls.
The large building leased by Aer Lingus from Aer Rianta housed ramp vehicles, aircraft engines and electronic equipment.
Mr Chris Nash, Aer Lingus airport manager, said: "We were fortunate that the staff with Mr Paddy Glynn, maintenance manager, quickly went into action and wheeled out the new Airbus engines to safety. Our concern was not only because of the value but these engines are not readily available."
Four aircraft due to land at the time were diverted, three of them to Cork. An American Transairjet went on to Dublin.
Mr Barry O'Shea, Aer Rianta general manager, said that apart from the problem of black smoke crossing the runway the airport had to be closed as the emergency equipment was being centred at the fire.
Work began immediately on demolishing the shells of the stores.
