London Heathrow is the busiest airport in the UK and one of the most used worldwide. However, due to a serious fire nearby, airport officials advise potential fliers to stay away from the airport as it closes its doors after a power outage.
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London Heathrow Airport released a brief statement on X at around 2:34 am explaining that the airport had "a significant power outage."
They also explain that the airport will be closed until midnight on Friday. "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 and should contact their airline for further information. We apologize for the inconvenience."
The cause of the power outage is a fire at a nearby electrical substation, according to multiple sources, including CNN. Authorities are still investigating what triggered the blaze, but there is 'no suggestion' of foul play. Even the airport's backup power supply was reportedly affected by the fire.
More Than 1300 Flights Are Likely To Be Affected By The Fire
Another post by CNN suggests that more than 1,300 flights will be affected by the incident at Heathrow. The incident is so severe that it could reportedly affect over 145,000 passengers with a knock-on effect over the coming days. The outlet also explains that at least 120 flights en route to Heathrow were diverted to other airports, including Manchester. A spokesperson for the airport told CNN that the diverted flights were already in the air, and diversions of this nature are commonplace during poor weather or airport disruptions.
The London Fire Brigade also released a statement about the fire at the Hayes Electrical Substation. Authorities report no fatalities or injuries, but 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters tackled the blaze. The fire didn't just hit the airport either. Many local homes and businesses are also without power.
Emergency Services evacuated 29 people from nearby buildings. As a precaution, the Brigade evacuated roughly 150 more from a 200-meter radius around the power station.
It took multiple hours to tame the fire, even with such a massive response. The Fire Brigade was reportedly notified at 11:23 pm, and the flames were officially under control at 6:28 am.
