Heathrow Airport has been closed all day after a “significant” power outage linked to a fire at an electrical substation in nearby Hayes, west London. The airport’s closure will continue until 23:59 on March 21, 2025, as authorities work to restore power and address the disruption.
A transformer caught fire overnight, prompting emergency services to respond and evacuate approximately 150 people from surrounding properties. Almost 5,000 homes remain without power due to two explosions at the substation. The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined.
Passengers are advised not to travel “under any circumstances” until the airport reopens. At least 1,351 flights have been affected on Friday, with over 120 aircraft in the air when the closure was announced.
The National Grid has restored power to 62,000 customers and is working to restore it to those without electricity. Firefighters are battling to bring the fire under control, but officials warn that disruption is expected to increase as the situation develops.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg5dg4p2l0o