Heathrow Airport is to stay shut till midnight on account of a big hearth at a close-by electrical energy substation.
A spokesperson mentioned there was a “significant power outage across the airport” and “we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored”.
Passengers have been warned to remain away.
“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 23h59 on 21 March 2025,” the assertion added.
“We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.”
Monitoring website Flightradar24 estimates at the least 1,351 flights out and in of Heathrow will probably be affected as we speak, together with round 120 already within the air this morning.
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Flights often start round 5am after the common in a single day quiet interval.
Some planes have already been diverted to locations together with Gatwick, Paris, and Shannon in Eire.
London Heathrow is without doubt one of the world’s busiest airports and had a report 83.9 million passengers final yr, with a aircraft touchdown or taking off round each 45 seconds.
Its complete closure is about to have knock-on results on airline operations all over the world.
British Airways, the most important provider at Heathrow, reiterated that clients shouldn’t go to the airport till additional discover.
An announcement mentioned: “This will clearly have a significant impact on our operation and our customers and we’re working as quickly as possible to update them on their travel options for the next 24 hours and beyond.”
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The hearth that brought on the ability outage is at a substation in Hayes, about 1.5 miles to the north of the airport, and an estimated 16,000 properties close by are additionally with out electrical energy.
Photos from the scene – on Nestles Avenue – present massive flames and plumes of thick black smoke.
Round 150 individuals have been evacuated and a 200-metre cordon is in place.
London Hearth Brigade (LFB) mentioned 10 engines and round 70 firefighters have been working to extinguish the blaze – with the primary 999 name acquired at 11.23pm.
It mentioned a transformer inside the North Hyde substation was alight however the trigger is up to now unknown.
A Nationwide Grid spokesperson mentioned they “working at speed to restore power supplies as quickly as possible” after the hearth broken gear.
Picture:
Heathrow is without doubt one of the world’s busiest airports. File pic: PA
LFB Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne mentioned it will be “a prolonged incident”.
“As we head into the morning, disruption is expected to increase, and we urge people to avoid the area wherever possible,” he mentioned.
Scottish and Southern Electrical energy Networks mentioned shortly after midnight {that a} “widespread power cut” was affecting Hayes, Hounslow and surrounding areas.
Nonetheless, it estimated it will be “resolved by 3am”.
A graphic on the corporate’s web site instructed round 16,000 properties have been affected.
Firefighters from Heathrow, Hayes, Hillingdon, Southall and different stations are all concerned within the response.
Police are supporting the firefighters, whereas residents have been urged to maintain home windows and doorways closed because of the smoke.
