Update: Gatwick Airport evacuated after fire alarm goes off in restaurant

The alarm was activated at about 5.45pm on Friday (December 18) and was followed by chaos as passengers attempted to board flights.

A Gatwick Airport spokesman said: “As a precaution a temporary evacuation of our North Terminal has been activated while we investigate a fire alarm.”

At 6.45pm, a spokesperson said: “We are working to get you to your flights following the earlier evacuation - apologies for the delay to your journey.”

A spokesman for Gatwick Airport added today (Saturday December 19): “A fire alarm was activated in a restaurant in the North Terminal yesterday evening. Passengers in the retail and restaurant area of the North Terminal were temporarily evacuated, for 40 minutes, as a precautionary measure.

“Flights taking off with passengers involved in the evacuation were held by airlines as long as was feasibly possible, whilst still maintaining a safe and efficient international flight service.

“For any passengers unable to get their designated flight we are working with our airlines to get them on their way as quickly as possible.”