Heathrow Airport Experiences Closure Due to Fire-Related Power Outage
Heathrow Airport, recognized as one of the busiest airports globally, has announced an unexpected closure due to a significant power outage triggered by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The airport is currently not operational and will remain closed until 11:59 p.m. local time on Friday, as confirmed in an official communication on X (formerly Twitter).
Details of the Incident
The fire erupted late Thursday night at the electrical substation located in Hayes, West London. The London Fire Brigade promptly responded, deploying 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze. While the cause of the fire has yet to be identified, it has been described as “highly visible and significant” by Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne, who urged local residents to keep their windows and doors closed to avoid smoke inhalation.
Impact on Flights and Transportation
The closure has led to widespread disruption, affecting over 1,350 flights scheduled to arrive or depart from Heathrow, including numerous cancellations of flights originating from the United States. Tracking service FlightRadar 24 reported that flights have been diverted to other airports, including London’s Gatwick Airport, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, and Shannon Airport in Ireland.
Additionally, Britain’s National Rail service has suspended operations to and from Heathrow for the duration of the closure, compounding the transportation challenges for travelers.
Local Effects and Emergency Response
According to reports from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, the power outage has impacted more than 16,300 homes and local businesses in the vicinity. Firefighters successfully led 29 individuals to safety from nearby properties, and around 150 residents were evacuated from the area as a precaution.
Official Statements
In a statement, the London Fire Brigade indicated that this incident is expected to be prolonged, with firefighting crews remaining on the scene throughout the night. Assistant Commissioner Goulbourne added that they are coordinating with local partners to minimize community disruption amid the ongoing emergency.
About Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport holds the distinction of being Britain’s busiest airport and ranks as the fifth busiest globally, based on recent data from travel analytics provider OAG Aviation. As the situation develops, officials continue to encourage travelers to check with their airlines for the latest updates and avoid the airport area if possible.
Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
