Fire at Melbourne Airport Last Night — Full Update by Elite Chauffeur
A fire broke out at Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 1 late last night, triggering a full evacuation, major delays and widespread disruption to travellers. Here’s what happened, what caused it, and how it affected thousands of passengers — including many waiting for chauffeur pickups.
🔥 What Happened?
At approximately 7:14 pm on 28 November 2025, a fire alarm was triggered inside the Qantas Terminal (T1). Fire Rescue Victoria and the airport’s aviation firefighting teams responded immediately. The terminal was evacuated, impacting more than 1,500 passengers.
Multiple aircraft already landed were forced to remain on the tarmac, unable to disembark passengers. Others had their departures delayed or cancelled as safety checks began.
🔥 The Cause of the Fire
Early official reports suggest the fire originated inside a technical area within Terminal 1. Although authorities have not confirmed the exact ignition source, initial assessments indicate it may have been linked to an electrical fault or equipment overheating.
No serious injuries were reported, and the fire was brought under control within 25 minutes.
✈️ How Travellers Were Affected
- Full evacuation of Terminal 1 — thousands forced outside in the cold.
- Major flight delays — both arrivals and departures impacted.
- Passengers stuck on planes — up to 60+ minutes on the tarmac.
- Baggage delays — bags held in terminals during evacuation.
- Transport congestion — pickups delayed as flights backed up.
For families, elderly passengers and those with connections, the disruption created significant stress.
🚘 How Elite Chauffeur Helped During the Chaos
During the evacuation, many travellers used Elite Chauffeur for emergency updated pickups. Our team provided:
- Live flight tracking to adjust for sudden gate or timing changes.
- Flexible waiting time options due to delayed disembarkation.
- Real-time SMS updates to passengers during evacuation.
- Safe, comfortable transport once passengers reached pickup points.
We ensured that travellers still reached hotels, homes or connecting destinations despite the airport shutdown.
📡 Official & Safe Sources for Airport Alerts
For verified updates, always check:
- Melbourne Airport Official Website
- Your airline’s mobile app or SMS notifications
- Victorian emergency updates (FRV)
✔ Need a Reliable Airport Transfer After Disruptions?
Elite Chauffeur offers 24/7 airport pickup and drop-off across T1, T2, T3 & T4, including late-night, early-morning and disrupted-flight situations.
