Landings at Switzerland’s second busiest airport have been halted.

A major fire has ignited near Geneva Airport in Switzerland at a newly built reception centre for asylum seekers on Saturday (21). Large plumes of smoke billowed into the sky above Switzerland’s second busiest airport, according to social media images.

“There is a building, the new reception centre for asylum-seekers which was under construction. It is on fire,” airport spokesman Ignace Jeanneret said speaking to Swiss radio RTS. According to him the area in question is located outside the airport’s perimeter.

The building, which was covered by scaffolding and tarpaulins, was hosed down by emergency personnel. According to reports, the airport has suspended plane landings and any decisions about take-offs are being left to the discretion of pilots.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. and it is reported that some planes have been diverted to other airports such as Lyon and Basel.