Major European airport evacuated after huge fire breaks out at check in desks

Milan's Malpensa Airport has reportedly been evacuated after a huge fire broke out at check-in desks. Terrifying footage was shared on social media showing the blaze engulf numerous desks at the Italian airport as worried passengers moved away from the flames. Half of the airport's Terminal One has been closed, according to online reports from the Aeroporti Lombardi forum. The footage posted to Instagram also showed a man smashing check-in screens and setting fire to a rubbish bin at around 10:30am on Wednesday.

Images from outside the airport, which is the largest in Northern Italy, show fire engines and an ambulance responding to the emergency situation, with a long queue of passengers building outside the major transport hub. Eyewitnesses said the immediate fall-out of the blaze is one of "chaos, delays and probably some cancellations". Others described "unbreathable air in the departures area".

While details of the incident have not been confirmed by officials, accounts from the scene allege that a passenger set fire to a check-in desk, before being intercepted by an employee.

Other images from Malpensa Airport show firefighters working to extinguish the blaze in the check-in area - with a large hose snaking through the deserted Terminal One area.

According to local news outlet R55, the perpetrator of the blaze was under the influence of alcohol. Emergency services have not yet commented on the incident.

Airport staff intervened immediately after fire broke out, Malpensa 24 reports, and managed to restrain the person responsible with the help of members of the public.

The fire was extinguished by emergency teams who cordoned off the affected area and police reportedly took an individual into custody shortly afterwards.

Despite online speculation, local news outlets said boarding and flight operations were not delayed in relation to the incident.