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London's Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest in the world, has been forced to close temporarily following a major fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, west London. The incident has led to a widespread power outage, disrupting over 1,350 flights and leaving thousands of homes without electricity.
Firefighters Battle Blaze, Residents Advised to Stay Indoors
The London Fire Brigade quickly responded to the emergency, deploying 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters to control the blaze. Authorities have imposed a 200-meter safety cordon, urging local residents to remain indoors and keep their windows closed due to heavy smoke in the area.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Network, which provides power to millions of homes in England and Scotland, confirmed the fire originated at the North Hyde substation. Emergency crews remain on-site to assess the damage and restore power as quickly as possible.
Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage.
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) March 21, 2025
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… pic.twitter.com/7SWNJP8ojd
Flights Disrupted, Passengers Advised to Check with Airlines
The outage has severely impacted Heathrow’s operations, leading to flight cancellations and diversions. According to the flight-tracking service FlightRadar24, several inbound and outbound flights have already been rerouted.
A Heathrow spokesperson stated, "We do not have clarity on when power will be fully restored, but we are working diligently to resolve the issue."
Air India confirmed that all its flights to and from Heathrow had been canceled for the day, advising passengers to contact their support centers for assistance.
Visuals Show Intense Fire and Smoke Rising Over London
Videos shared online captured the massive flames lighting up the night sky, with thick plumes of smoke billowing over the area. The situation remains critical as authorities continue their efforts to contain the damage and restore normal operations.
Heathrow Airport remains closed until at least midnight on March 21, with further disruptions expected in the coming days. Passengers are urged to check with their respective airlines before traveling.
📹 POWER BLAZE IN LONDON SHUTS DOWN UK’S BUSIEST AIRPORT, HEATHROW – REPORTS
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 21, 2025
Firefighters are struggling to contain a major blaze at the Hayes electrical substation, causing evacuations and widespread power outages, Sky News reported.
Videos from social media pic.twitter.com/XwfAopJYvq
