London’s Heathrow Airport closes after electrical fire sparks blackout

London’s Heathrow Airport has been shut down for nearly an entire day following a fire at an electrical substation.

"There has been a power cut at the airport. To ensure the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 23:59 on March 21, 2025," the airport administration stated, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

Significant disruptions to airport operations are expected in the coming days. Passengers have been advised not to travel to the airport before it reopens. It remains unclear if and where incoming flights will be diverted.

Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling a record 83.9 million passengers last year, with an aircraft landing or taking off approximately every 45 seconds.

The fire broke out at a substation in Hayes, about 1.5 miles from the airport, leaving thousands of homes without power. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) deployed 10 fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters to the scene on Nestles Avenue. The fire involved a transformer within the North Hyde substation, though the cause remains unknown at this stage.

Authorities have evacuated around 150 people, and a 200-metre cordon has been established around the affected area.

Due to the intensity of the flames, local authorities have ordered the evacuation of residents and workers from nearby businesses.

The fire has caused widespread power outages, affecting approximately 16,000 people. A Heathrow Airport representative confirmed that the explosion has led to a significant power disruption at the airport, further impacting operations.

By Tamilla Hasanova