London Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs, has been forced to shut down for the entire day following a massive fire at a nearby electrical substation that caused a significant power outage. The disruption has led to widespread flight cancellations, affecting thousands of passengers and causing chaos across global air travel networks.
Fire and Power Outage
The fire broke out late Thursday night at an electrical substation on Nestles Avenue in Hayes, West London. Emergency crews, including 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines, responded swiftly to contain the blaze. The London Fire Brigade confirmed that while no injuries were reported, precautionary evacuations were conducted for nearly 150 people in the surrounding area. Authorities established a 200-meter perimeter to ensure public safety.
Impact on Flights and Travelers
The power outage has disrupted Heathrow’s critical operations, forcing the airport to halt all flights until 11:59 PM local time on Friday, March 21. Over 1,300 flights have been grounded, affecting an estimated 145,000 passengers. Many flights scheduled to land at Heathrow were diverted to alternative airports, including Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Shannon in Ireland.
Travelers worldwide are experiencing delays and uncertainty, with airlines scrambling to accommodate passengers on alternative routes. Airport officials have advised passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Transportation Disruptions
The fire’s impact extended beyond Heathrow, leading to major transportation disruptions. The southbound spur of the M4 motorway near the airport has been closed, causing significant traffic congestion. Train services, including the Heathrow Express and sections of the Elizabeth Line, have also been suspended or delayed due to the power failure.
