Christmas chaos as Sydney airport closed by fire

The holiday travel plans of thousands of Australians and tourists were thrown into chaos Friday after an electrical fire in the control tower shut down Sydney Airport, officials said. A fire brigade spokesman said the blaze started shortly before 4:30 pm (AEDT) and caused by an electrical fault. Staff were evacuated and bussed to the old control tower nearby while fire crews extinguished the blaze and ventilated the area. The blaze started inside a computer, the spokesman said. All flights to and from Sydney had to be suspended on one of its busiest days on record. ABC radio said delays were expected around the country as travellers begin their holidays, AFP reports.