Gassy fruit forces airline alert

Gassy fruit forces airline alert

BA is still investigating the cause of the fire alert
A jet carrying 308 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing in Ireland on Sunday, after fruit fumes set off its fire alarm system.
The British Airways Boeing 747 en route from Miami to London Heathrow landed at Shannon Airport, after a warning light indicated there was a fire in the hold.

An airport spokeswoman said a closer examination found that rotting fruit was giving off unusual fumes.

British Airways says it was still investigating the cause of the alert.

A spokeswoman for the airline said flight BA206 landed safely at 0854BST, approximately two-and-a-half hours after its scheduled arrival time.

‘No fire’

She said the plane had made a standard diversion into Shannon Airport after a fire alert indication light illuminated, setting off fire extinguishers in the hold.

A full technical assessment was undertaken by engineers and the aircraft was declared safe and serviceable to fly onto Heathrow

British Airways spokeswoman

“There was no fire on board the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely and the passengers and crew disembarked normally.

“A full technical assessment was undertaken by engineers and the aircraft was declared safe and serviceable to fly onto Heathrow,” she said.

The airline has apologised to the passengers concerned but said: “Safety, as ever, is of paramount importance.”

Shannon Airport said the cargo of fruit had been unloaded and was awaiting collection

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3761781.stm