London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, has been forced to close due to a major power outage triggered by a fire at an electrical substation.
The incident, which occurred in Hayes, West London, has disrupted operations and left thousands of passengers stranded. Authorities have confirmed the closure will last until 23:59 on March 21, 2025, as emergency teams work to restore power.
Heathrow Closure Through 21 March
Heathrow Airport released an official 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 and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience.”
The fire broke out early Friday morning, impacting not only the airport but also over 16,000 homes in the surrounding area.
All Flights Grounded
Around 70 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blaze, while engineers estimate power could return by early Saturday. Until then, all flights are grounded, and travelers face widespread cancellations and delays.
Airport officials are urging passengers to stay updated via their airlines, as the ripple effects could linger into the weekend. Roads near Heathrow are also congested, with emergency services managing the scene. Local authorities have warned of potential travel chaos across London as a result of the Hayes fire.
This rare shutdown underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to unexpected events. Heathrow, handling millions of passengers annually, now faces a race against time to resume normal operations.
For now, the focus remains on safety and restoring power. Travelers are advised to monitor updates closely and adjust plans accordingly as the situation unfolds.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they come to hand.
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