HEATHROW Airport is shut for the entire day due to a “significant power outage” after a fire ripped through a nearby electrical station.
The airport, the busiest in Europe, will remain closed until 11.59pm on Friday – causing travel chaos and leaving thousands stranded.
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Flights across Europe are having to be diverted to alternative airports or return to their original destination.
In total, the closure is expected to impact more than 1,300 flights, according to FlightRadar24..
It comes as thousands of homes are also without power after the blaze broke out at a substation in Hayes, West London, shortly after 11pm on Thursday.
A spokesman for Heathrow said: “Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage across the airport due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation.
“Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored.
“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 11.59pm on March 21.”
“We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.”
A statement adds: “Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience.”
Are you affected by Heathrow’s closure? Get in touch with [email protected], contact the news desk on 074423 720 250 or WhatsApp us on 0207 782 4100
The diversions include one flight from London to Bangkok which reached Brussels before having to return to Heathrow.
Flights from Johannesburg and Perth into the capital are also having to land at Gatwick Airport.
Pictures and videos taken from the airport in the early hours of the morning show areas of the site in darkness due to the loss of power.
It comes as around 150 people have been evacuated from surrounding properties and a 200-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution.
The electrical substation is located around a mile and a half from the airport.
London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “This is a highly visible and significant incident, and our firefighters are working tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible.
“The fire has caused a power outage affecting a large number of homes and local businesses, and we are working closely with our partners to minimise disruption.
“Firefighters have led 29 people to safety from neighbouring properties, and as a precaution, a 200-metre cordon has been established, with around 150 people evacuated.”
‘Our dream holiday has been ruined’
A COUPLE’s dream holiday flight to Costa Rica has been cancelled and now they are waiting at their Heathrow hotel if they can get on the next flight.
Hadley Davydaitis, 43, a resource planning manager, and girlfriend Katrina Harris, 40, a therapist were set to fly to the Central American paradise with Air Canada for 14 days.
He said: “It’s an absolute nightmare. We’re stressed and desperately waiting to try and figure out what’s going on.
“In theory, we should be on the next flight. But there’s going to be a huge backlog, is that going to be tomorrow, the next day?”
He said his girlfriend woke up early due to the excitement of the trip.
“I looked at my phone for a little bit and the first thing I saw was the headline about Heathrow.”
It was a dream destination for the couple.
“I’ve wanted to go since I was 18 – the wildlife, the biodiversity, everything else. Katrina, similarly, has been waiting to go for years now and now we don’t know what’s going to happen.”
He added: “This will be a prolonged incident, with crews remaining on scene throughout the night.
“As we head into the morning, disruption is expected to increase, and we urge people to avoid the area wherever possible.”
Residents have also been warned of a large-scale power outage in the area.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said in a post on X: “We’re aware of a widespread power cut affecting many of our customers around the Hayes, Hounslow and surrounding areas.
“We’re estimating for power to be restored by 3am.”
London Fire Brigade said it had received 190 calls in relation to the fire.
Crews from the surrounding areas of Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, Southall and surrounding fire stations have all been mobilised to the scene.
A spokesman said: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a fire at an electrical substation on Nestles Avenue in Hayes.
“Part of the substation is alight. Around 20 people have been evacuated from neighbouring properties and a 100-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution.
“The Brigade’s Control Officers have taken almost 200 calls to the fire. The first call was received at 11.23pm and crews from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, Southall and surrounding fire stations were mobilised to the scene.
“The cause of the fire is not known at this time.”
Paramedics are also at the scene and have urged residents to close their windows.
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: “We are currently supporting emergency services colleagues at the scene of a fire in Hayes.
“Please try and avoid the area and if you live nearby, stay indoors and keep windows closed.”
Footage, shared to X, shows orange flames and clouds of dark smoke billowing into the sky.
An emergency vehicle is seen in the foreground attending the scene.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
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