Heathrow Airport Closes After Major Fire in London Substation
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Synopsis
On March 21, Heathrow Airport in London was shut down due to a fire in a substation, causing widespread power outages affecting over 16,000 homes. Authorities have evacuated over 150 people and anticipate significant disruptions to flight schedules.
Key Takeaways
- Heathrow Airport closed due to a fire.
- More than 16,000 homes without power.
- Over 150 evacuations conducted.
- Significant flight delays expected.
- Emergency services are actively responding.
New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) Heathrow Airport in London has been closed for the day following a fire at a substation located in the western region of the city, resulting in a power outage that has affected over 16,000 homes.
As reported by British media, more than 150 individuals have been evacuated from nearby areas.
On Friday morning (India time), the airport issued a notice on X, advising travelers to refrain from visiting the airport and to reach out to their airlines for further information.
"Due to a fire at an electrical substation that supplies power to the airport, Heathrow is facing a major power disruption. To ensure the safety of our passengers and staff, Heathrow will remain closed until 11.59 pm on March 21," the airport stated.
A representative from the airport informed the BBC, "While emergency teams are on site, we are uncertain about the timeline for reliable power restoration... we are making every effort to address the issue as quickly as possible."
According to reports, numerous flights have already been redirected, and airport officials anticipate considerable disruptions in the days to come.
Reports indicate that the Scottish and Southern Electricity Network, which supplies electricity to nearly four million homes in central and southern England, as well as northern Scotland, confirmed that the fire erupted at the North Hyde substation, where emergency services are currently active.
The London Fire Brigade reported that a transformer within the substation caught fire, prompting a large-scale response. Ten fire engines and about 70 firefighters were dispatched to the incident. As a safety measure, a 200-metre cordon has been established, and residents are advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to smoke.
Heathrow is the largest airport in the UK, managing around 1,300 air traffic movements daily. Last year, a record 83.9 million travelers passed through its terminals.
