Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports globally, has been forced to shut down after a fire broke out at a nearby electrical substation. The blaze, which started late Thursday evening at the North Hyde substation in Hayes, west London, led to a major power outage that affected the airport and thousands of nearby homes.
The London Fire Brigade responded quickly, deploying 10 fire engines and about 70 firefighters to tackle the flames. As a precaution, around 150 people were evacuated from nearby properties, and local residents were advised to remain indoors and close windows due to the heavy smoke.
Operations at the Airport Stops
The fire at the substation caused a significant disruption at Heathrow, forcing the airport to suspend all operations until at least midnight on March 21. In an official statement, airport authorities confirmed that no flights could arrive, and all incoming flights were diverted to other locations.
Passengers were urged not to travel to the airport and instead contact their airlines for more details on their flights. According to flight-tracking services, over 120 flights were impacted by the closure.
Efforts for Power Restorations Underway
While the situation continues to evolve, Heathrow officials emphasised that safety remained their top priority, but they did not provide a clear timeline for when the airport might resume normal operations. Efforts to restore power are ongoing, and authorities are working closely with emergency teams to minimise further disruptions.
Meanwhile, the fire has left many local homes without electricity, and the surrounding areas continue to be affected by the power cut. The Scottish and Southern Electricity Network, which supplies power to the region, assured the public that their teams were on-site working to resolve the issue.
Frustrated Travellers Shares Disappointment
Passengers affected by the shutdown have expressed frustration online, with some questioning why the airport did not have adequate backup power systems in place. Others humorously referred to the situation by making comparisons to the “Die Hard” movie series, which features action-packed scenes in airports.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a former Union Minister from India, also weighed in on the situation, joking on social media that perhaps India could help the UK manage its airports better, adding to the growing online discussions about the airport’s closure.
