Heathrow Grounded: Massive Substation Blaze Sparks Major Power Outage, Diverts Over 1,350 Flights!

London’s Heathrow Airport, the UK’s busiest aviation hub, will shut down all operations this Friday due to a major power failure caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The incident, which has led to severe disruption, forces the airport to remain closed until 11:59 PM on March 21, 2025, as safety measures take precedence.

A Heathrow spokesperson explained that the decision was necessary to ensure the safety of both passengers and staff. “We are doing everything possible to resolve the situation quickly, but without reliable power, operations simply cannot continue,” they stated. As a result, passengers have been urged to avoid traveling until further notice and are advised to contact their airlines for updates on rescheduled flights.

The incident has had far-reaching effects, with at least 1,351 flights disrupted and about 120 aircraft already in the air when the closure was announced. Heathrow handles roughly 1,300 daily take-offs and landings and served nearly 84 million passengers last year, making the shutdown one of the most significant in recent memory.

The fire, which began at 11:23 PM on Thursday at a substation in Hayes, west London, produced dramatic scenes of towering flames and billowing smoke, as captured on social media. Emergency services have responded promptly, deploying ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters. The London Fire Brigade reported that half of a transformer was still burning at 4:08 AM, and a 200-metre safety cordon is in place around the scene.

Local residents are also feeling the impact. The blaze has left more than 16,300 homes without power and forced approximately 150 people to evacuate due to heavy smoke. Energy supplier Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks confirmed a widespread outage affecting the Hayes, Hounslow, and surrounding areas.

Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulborne warned that the incident is expected to continue for some time. “We are working tirelessly under challenging conditions, and as the morning approaches, more disruptions are likely. We advise people to steer clear of the area,” he said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation as officials work to restore power and bring the situation under control.