Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, has been shut down for the day after a major fire broke out at an electrical substation in the western part of London.
The fire caused a significant power outage, affecting both the airport and the surrounding area.
Over 16,000 homes have been left without electricity, and more than 150 people have been evacuated from nearby buildings.
Power Outage Forces Heathrow Airport Closure
Heathrow Airport confirmed the closure in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday morning (India time).
The airport authorities informed passengers that no flights would be departing or arriving, advising them to refrain from traveling and contact their respective airlines for updates.
“Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To ensure the safety of our passengers and staff, the airport will remain closed until 11:59 pm on March 21,” Heathrow said in a statement.
Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage.
To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March.
Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport… pic.twitter.com/7SWNJP8ojd
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) March 21, 2025
Emergency services have rushed to the scene to contain the blaze.
The fire, which started at the North Hyde substation, led to a large-scale emergency response from the London Fire Brigade.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were deployed to tackle the flames. The substation, which supplies power to the airport and several surrounding areas, houses critical transformers.
As a precaution, the authorities have set up a 200-meter cordon around the fire site.
Residents in the vicinity have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke.
Firefighters are still working to bring the fire under control, but the authorities have not provided a clear timeline for when power will be fully restored.
Flight Disruptions And Future Impact
Several flights have already been diverted as the airport remains inoperable.
Airport officials have warned of ‘significant disruption’ in the coming days, urging travelers to check with their airlines for flight status.
Heathrow handles approximately 1,300 flights every day and served a record 83.9 million passengers last year, making this outage a major disruption for both travelers and airlines.
The Scottish and Southern Electricity Network supplies power to nearly four million homes in central and southern England. It confirmed that the fire occurred at the North Hyde substation.
Emergency services are on-site, working to restore power.
However, it remains unclear when the substation will be fully operational again.
Heathrow is expected to remain closed until at least midnight, with authorities continuing to monitor the situation closely.
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