LONDON: Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest air travel hubs in the world, was forced to shut down its operations for the entire day on Friday due to a devastating fire at a nearby electrical substation. The fire resulted in a massive power outage, disrupting over 1,000 flights worldwide.
Passengers have been advised to avoid the airport for the day, as flights were diverted in the early hours of the morning. A spokesperson for Heathrow confirmed the disruption, stating, “Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying power to the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To ensure the safety of our passengers and staff, Heathrow will remain closed until 11:59 PM on March 21.”
More than 1,300 flights have been affected by the emergency closure, potentially altering the travel plans of over 100,000 passengers. The impact of the disruption is being felt globally, with many travelers left stranded or facing significant delays.
Firefighters have been working tirelessly to control the blaze at the substation in Hayes, located in the western part of London. The London Fire Brigade reported that over 150 people have been evacuated from nearby businesses and homes, all of which have been left without power.
“This is expected to be a prolonged incident,” the fire brigade warned. “Crews will remain on the scene throughout the night, and disruptions are anticipated to worsen. We urge people to avoid the area wherever possible.”
As authorities continue to battle the fire and assess the damage, the full extent of the travel chaos is still unfolding. With thousands of flights already canceled or delayed, travelers are urged to stay in contact with their airlines for updates and avoid Heathrow until further notice.
