Heathrow Airport closed after massive fire at nearby substation causes widespread power outage
Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest and the world’s fifth-busiest airport, has been forced to shut down for the day following a massive fire at a nearby electrical substation.
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It was reported by Reuters that the blaze, which broke out in the west of London, caused a widespread power outage, bringing operations at the airport to a halt and disrupting flights globally.
The London Fire Brigade reported that around 70 firefighters were battling the blaze, with large orange flames and thick plumes of smoke visible in the sky.
In response, around 150 people were evacuated from nearby buildings, and thousands of homes in the area were left without power.
With the airport closed throughout Friday, flights to and from Heathrow, including those from major UAE airports like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have been severely affected.
The timing is particularly disruptive, as many British teachers, who are traveling home for the holidays as schools break up, will be impacted.
Heathrow is also a key connecting hub for flights traveling to destinations further afield, making the disruption even more widespread.
Travellers are urged to check with airlines for updates on flight schedules, as the closure is expected to lead to further delays and cancellations.
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