All clear given after Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport terminal evacuated

Contractor accidentally cut fire sprinkler line, spokesperson says

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ Hundreds of people were evacuated Saturday afternoon from Terminal 3 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

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According to airport spokesperson Greg Meyer, a contractor working at the airport accidentally cut the fire sprinkler line behind the JetBlue counter, causing water to spray.

As a safety precaution, water to the system was turned off and the Transportation Security Administration evacuated the entire terminal until the sprinkler system could be fixed.

The evacuation affected JetBlue, American Airlines and Bahamas Air.

Airport officials said the incident lasted about an hour and likely no one missed any flights because airlines were aware and likely all waited on passengers to return. At 3:40 p.m. Saturday, people were allowed back inside.

One passenger told Local 10 News his flight was delayed about an hour because of the incident.

Travelers posted photos and videos of people with luggage waiting on the tarmac after being told to leave the inside of the terminal.

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