A major fire broke out at a car park near Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Tuesday afternoon, sending a huge column of black smoke into the sky and causing disruption around the airport. The fire started at around 3:00 p.m. local time in Louvres, in the Val-d’Oise department, approximately 10 kilometres from the airport’s runways. French media report that the site is a secured parking facility used by travellers who leave their cars there while flying from Charles de Gaulle.
Dozens of vehicles were reportedly caught in the blaze. Dramatic footage from the ground shows numerous cars engulfed in flames, while aerial footage reveals the scale of the fire and the enormous smoke plume.
French broadcaster TF1 reports that around 80 firefighters were deployed to fight the fire. Emergency services urged people to stay away from the area and leave access routes clear for firefighting vehicles. The cause of the fire has not yet been established.
Two airport runways temporarily closed
The incident also affected operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Two runways were temporarily closed as a precaution because of the fire and the smoke, although airport operations were not completely suspended.
Train and bus services in the area were also affected by the emergency response. Louvres is served by the RER D railway line, which connects the area with Paris and other destinations.
The thick smoke plume was visible over a very wide area, with reports that it could be seen from central Paris, around 35 kilometres away.
The fire comes during one of the busiest periods of the summer travel season, potentially affecting passengers travelling to or from France’s largest airport.
Firefighters remain at the scene while the operation continues. Further details about the number of vehicles destroyed, possible injuries and the origin of the fire are expected to be released later.
Immense #incendie en cours à #Louvres dans le Val d’Oise (95). Le feu est visible à plusieurs kilomètres, de très nombreux moyens de Sapeurs-Pompiers sont sur place. pic.twitter.com/HL0jF6gaH4
— R.A Photography (@RAPhotography75) August 11, 2026
VAL-D’OISE : Un impressionnant incendie est en cours au niveau d’un parking où stationnent de nombreux voyageurs, près de l’aéroport Roissy / Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Des dizaines de véhicules sont concernés (TF1).pic.twitter.com/aepvhJu3iz
— Infos Françaises (@InfosFrancaises) August 11, 2026