Heathrow Airport Closure Causes Major Travel Disruptions

A significant fire at an electrical substation near London’s Heathrow Airport has led to a complete shutdown of the airport on Friday, causing widespread travel disruptions for hundreds of thousands of passengers.

The blaze erupted late Thursday night at the North Hyde substation in Hayes, approximately 1.5 miles from the airport, resulting in a substantial power outage that affected airport operations.

Emergency services, including ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters, responded to the incident. The fire was controlled within seven hours, but its impact led to the cancellation of all flights until midnight, marking the most significant disruption at Heathrow in 15 years.

The closure affected at least 1,350 flights, with many diverted to other airports such as Gatwick, Charles de Gaulle, and Shannon. Passengers have been advised to avoid traveling to the airport and to contact their airlines for further information.

The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and its impact on global travel networks. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire but currently suspect no foul play.

Travelers are advised to monitor updates from airlines and Heathrow Airport as the situation develops.