Fire Cuts Power to St. Louis Airport

An electrical shop caught fire Friday near Lambert Airport, cutting power to part of the main terminal and delaying some flights.

The fire began shortly before midday in a power plant building. The flames were brought under control in slightly more than two hours. Officials said they were investigating the cause.

Power was soon restored to much of the terminal using generators. But disruptions kept American Airlines from processing passengers electronically. Long lines of thousands of passengers snaked through the lobby, and airline employees used bullhorns to direct travelers.

At least nine round-trip flights on American were canceled, as well as six flights on other carriers, officials said.

The only injury was suffered by a firefighter who sprained an ankle, Fire Capt. Derrick Phillips said.

The blaze started under the roofline of the electrical shop, the fire department said. About 30 people were evacuated before firefighters arrived.

The east terminal was affected.

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