Heathrow Airport in London, one of the busiest airports worldwide, faced a major shutdown on Friday due to a significant power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. In a post on X, Heathrow notified users, stating, “To ensure the safety of our passengers and staff, Heathrow will be closed until 11:59 p.m. Friday local time. We advise passengers not to travel to the airport and to reach out to their airlines for updates. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
The fire broke out late Thursday night in Hayes, west London. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were sent to combat the blaze. The London Fire Brigade reported that smoke was billowing from the scene, urging residents to keep windows and doors shut and to avoid the area. Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne mentioned in a statement that the incident was serious, saying, “It is highly visible and significant,” and confirmed that firefighters had safely evacuated about 150 people from surrounding properties.
The power outage has not only impacted the airport but also disrupted electricity for over 16,300 homes and local businesses, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Meanwhile, the National Rail service suspended all routes to and from Heathrow for the day.
In terms of scale, Heathrow is the fifth busiest airport globally, as stated by OAG Aviation. This incident highlights the airport’s crucial role in international travel, emphasizing how swiftly such disturbances can ripple through the transport network.
As the situation evolves, authorities continue to monitor the fire and restore services. Recent surveys indicate that such outages can cause significant delays and economic losses in airline revenue. Experts suggest that airports should enhance their emergency response systems to minimize future disruptions caused by unforeseen incidents like this one.
For up-to-date information, travelers should check reliable news outlets and their airline’s communication channels. This incident serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of our infrastructure and how unexpected events can quickly reshape our travel plans.
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