Amsterdam: Fliers Flee Fires at Airport

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Nando Times

Fliers flee fires at Amsterdam airport

(try to say that fast three times :)

The Associated Press

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (January 18, 2001 8:17 a.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) - An explosion Thursday in Amsterdam's international airport caused two fires, filling departure and arrival halls with smoke and forcing thousands to evacuate the busy facility.

There were no immediate reports of injuries. Police sealed off all road and train traffic to Schiphol Airport.

"An explosion resulted in two fires," airport spokesman Jos Senger said. "We don't know what the cause is ... we are very curious about that."

Senger said the fires were "fierce and short" and that they had started at a restroom and restaurant. "It could have been started by a gas leak, we just don't know yet."

Customs officers and firefighters escorted thousands of passengers to nearby hotels and emptied restaurants, platforms for trains connecting to the airport and all but one of four airport terminals, customs spokesman Ben Smit said.

Airline officials said there were flight delays, but no cancellations. Schiphol is one of Europe's largest airports, having reported 40 million passengers in 2000.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), January 18, 2001


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