Heathrow Airport Shuts Down All Day Due to Substation Fire, Flights Cancelled
London Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, has suspended all operations for Friday due to a significant power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. All flights, both arriving and departing, have been cancelled.
Substation Blaze Forces Airport Closure
A major fire erupted at a substation less than two miles from Heathrow’s terminals, triggering a widespread power cut and forcing the airport to cease operations. Emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 11:30 PM on Thursday. Heathrow Airport, known for its high traffic volume with a flight landing or taking off roughly every 45 seconds, officially announced its closure at 2:00 AM on Friday.
The closure is expected to cause significant disruptions, impacting over 200,000 daily passengers and generating knock-on effects throughout the weekend travel schedule.
Airport Statement: Safety is Priority
A Heathrow Airport spokesperson stated: “Heathrow is currently experiencing a major power disruption across all terminals due to a substantial fire at an adjacent electrical substation.”
“While fire crews are actively responding to the incident, the timeline for power restoration remains uncertain.”
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“To ensure the safety and well-being of our passengers and staff, we have made the difficult decision to close Heathrow Airport until 11:59 PM on March 21, 2025.”
“We anticipate considerable disruption in the coming days and strongly advise passengers not to travel to the airport unless absolutely necessary before it reopens.”
“We will issue further updates as soon as more information regarding the resumption of operations becomes available. We understand this news is incredibly disappointing for travelers and want to assure everyone that we are working diligently to resolve this unprecedented situation.”
Flight Diversions and Cancellations Mount
Flights destined for Heathrow are already being redirected to alternative airports. Flightradar24 indicates that at least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow will be affected. The aviation tracking service noted this figure excludes potential further cancellations or delays resulting from aircraft displacement.
Visual accounts from the scene depict substantial plumes of smoke rising into the night sky as firefighters combat the blaze. Videos from inside Heathrow show the airport largely darkened due to the power failure.
Passengers Stranded, Flights Diverted Across Europe
Several flights have already been diverted, including:
- United Airlines flight UA146 from Newark, now landing in Shannon, Ireland.
- United Airlines flight UA901 from San Francisco, diverted to an alternative location.
- Eurowings flight EW9462 from Dusseldorf, also rerouted.
- Qantas flight QF9 from Perth to Heathrow has been diverted to Paris.
Airports in Amsterdam, Newfoundland (Canada), and Helsinki are among those accommodating diverted flights as European airports brace for an influx of aircraft unable to reach Heathrow.
Travelers globally are experiencing uncertainty, with many at departure airports awaiting updates from their airlines.
One passenger at Toronto Pearson International Airport reported his Heathrow-bound flight is still listed as scheduled. Another traveler on a flight from JFK reported circling New York due to the closure.
British Airways flights from Johannesburg, Lagos, and Cape Town have been redirected to Gatwick Airport.
Substation Fire Causes Widespread Power Outage
The fire at the substation has also resulted in power outages affecting thousands of properties in West London.
Over 70 firefighters and ten fire engines are at the scene on Nestles Avenue in Hayes, battling the large-scale fire. Images show intense flames engulfing the substation and significant smoke plumes.
Approximately 150 individuals have been evacuated from the immediate vicinity, and a 200-meter safety cordon is in place. Residents in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke.
Eyewitnesses reported a “huge explosion” preceding the fire and power cut. Local residents indicate power outages extending as far as Hounslow.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Situation
According to power monitoring site Powertrack, an estimated 16,000 households are impacted by the power outage. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks have confirmed the extensive power disruption in surrounding areas.
The London Fire Brigade received nearly 200 calls regarding the fire and mobilized crews from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, Southall, and nearby fire stations. Firefighters are expected to remain on site throughout the night, and the incident is anticipated to be prolonged.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne of the London Fire Brigade described it as a “highly visible and significant incident” with firefighters working tirelessly in challenging conditions. He confirmed that 29 people were led to safety and approximately 150 evacuated as a precaution. He reiterated the advice for residents to keep windows and doors closed and urged people to avoid the area due to expected prolonged disruption.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. No injuries have been reported at this time.
Breaking News
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as they become available.