Egypt Daily News – A massive fire at a substation supplying electricity to Heathrow Airport caused a widespread power outage, leading to the closure of Europe’s largest airport throughout Friday and triggering unprecedented disruptions in air travel across London.
Heathrow Airport Holdings stated that the fire broke out at an electrical station on Nestles Avenue in the Hayes area, resulting in partial damage to the airport’s power infrastructure. Heathrow, the busiest airport in the UK, was severely affected.
The airport management announced on the platform X that operations would remain suspended until 11:59 PM on March 21 to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
Officials urged travelers not to go to the airport under any circumstances until an official reopening announcement is made. More than 1,000 flights have been affected, and the timeline for restoring power remains uncertain, raising concerns about ongoing travel disruptions in the coming days.
Following Heathrow’s shutdown, airlines began diverting flights to alternative airports. London Gatwick Airport confirmed receiving seven diverted flights from Heathrow and stated that it continues to operate normally while preparing to accommodate additional flights if necessary.
Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade reported that around 70 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze, and authorities carried out evacuations in nearby residential areas.
Pat Gulborn, an official from the fire department, stated that the fire caused a widespread power outage, affecting numerous homes and local businesses.
According to data from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, more than 16,300 homes in the area experienced power cuts, and over 100 people were evacuated from homes close to the fire site.
The fire brigade confirmed that investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
