London’s Heathrow Airport has suffered a major power outage due to a fire at a supply substation, due to which the air hub will be closed until midnight, the airport’s press office said on X.
“To ensure the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow Airport will be closed until 23:59 on March 21. Passengers are advised not to proceed to the airport and to contact their airline for further information. We apologise for any inconvenience,” the publication said.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said about 70 firefighters were working at the scene. About 150 people have been evacuated, a 200-metre cordon has been set up and residents of nearby areas have been advised to keep their windows closed due to “significant amounts of smoke.” The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Operator Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has estimated that a “widespread power outage” has affected customers in Hayes, Hanslow and surrounding areas. “We expect power to be restored by 3.00 a.m.,” the company told on X.
Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports, with a record 83.9 million passengers in 2024.
