A massive explosion at a power substation in Hayes, west London, has triggered widespread disruption, including the closure of Heathrow Airport and power outages affecting more than 16,000 homes. A total of 179 people were evacuated from their homes and surrounding areas as emergency services battled the blaze through the night.
The incident began around 11.30pm on Thursday night (March 20), when a transformer at the Nestles Avenue substation caught fire, prompting a major response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and other emergency services.
Fire Brought Under Control After Eight Hours
Firefighters worked tirelessly through the night, and the fire was finally declared under control by 7.45am on Friday morning. No injuries have been reported.
LFB Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith praised crews for their swift and professional response, saying:
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank firefighters and control officers for their courage and professionalism in bringing this incident under control in what were very challenging circumstances.”
Evacuations and Rest Centre Support
In total, 29 people were evacuated from properties closest to the substation, while an additional 150 people were taken to a rest centre for safety and support during the disruption.
Cause Under Investigation – Counter Terrorism Command Involved
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that its Counter Terrorism Command is now leading the investigation due to the significant impact on critical national infrastructure, although there is currently no indication of foul play.
A Met Police spokesperson said:
“We are working with the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire which remains under investigation. While there is currently no indication of foul play, we retain an open mind at this time.
Given the location of the substation and the scale of disruption, the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is leading enquiries to progress the investigation at pace.”
Shock and Confusion Among Local Residents
Nearby residents described being startled by the explosion. One woman, who lives close to the substation, said:
“I heard a massive explosion just before midnight. All the power went off, and I could see a huge fire through my front window. It just smelled like burning—it was hard to tell where it was coming from.”
Heathrow Airport Operations in Chaos
The blaze led to a significant power outage at Heathrow Airport, forcing flight and train cancellations and affecting more than 1,300 flights, according to flight tracking data. Passengers have been left stranded across the UK and internationally as flights were diverted or returned to their points of origin.
Heathrow has since warned that disruption is expected to continue for several days, with no clear timeline on when full power will be restored.
Compensation and Travel Disruption Guidance
Affected passengers are being advised to contact their airlines for rebooking options and check eligibility for compensation under EU and UK travel rights. National Express has also cancelled all services to Heathrow, adding further strain to travel networks.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
Investigators, fire safety officers, and scientific advisers are continuing to assess the site, while power engineers work to restore normal services.
Authorities are urging residents and travellers to stay informed through official channels as efforts to stabilise infrastructure continue.
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