Heathrow Airport Grounded as Fire Disrupts Power Supply

A fire at a substation has led to a significant power outage, grounding operations at London’s Heathrow Airport until Friday midnight.

Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports globally, experienced an unexpectedly disruptive incident on Friday due to a fire at a nearby electricity substation located in Hayes, western London. As a result of the fire, the airport lost power, prompting the operator to announce a full closure until 11:59 p.m. local time.

The exact impact on flight operations remains unclear, as officials have not disclosed how many flights will be affected by the shutdown. The London Fire Brigade reported that dozens of firefighters have been deployed to combat the ongoing blaze at the substation. Additionally, the fire has caused significant disruptions, leading to power outages affecting numerous homes and businesses in the vicinity.

In response to the incident, approximately 150 residents in the surrounding area have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne of the fire brigade indicated that emergency crews would continue to work on-site throughout the night, emphasizing that disruptions are likely to escalate as the situation develops. "As we head into the morning, we urge people to avoid the area wherever possible," he commented, highlighting the importance of public safety amid ongoing firefighting efforts.

This developing story is expected to see further updates as information becomes available.