Heathrow Airport has been completely shut down for at least 24 hours following a devastating fire at a nearby electrical substation that has triggered a significant power outage, plunging terminals into darkness and sparking chaos for hundreds of thousands of travellers.
A statement issued by Heathrow Airport confirmed the closure:
“Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage across the airport due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23:59 on 21 March.”
Officials are urging passengers not to travel to the airport and instead contact their airlines for the latest information. The closure is expected to affect flight schedules for several days to come.
Huge Blaze at Electrical Substation
The incident began at approximately 11:30pm on Thursday, when a massive fire broke out at a transformer unit on Nestles Avenue in Hayes, roughly 1.5 miles from Heathrow. The London Fire Brigade deployed ten fire engines and more than 70 firefighters to battle the flames, which sent thick black smoke billowing into the night sky.
A 200-metre cordon was put in place, and around 150 people were evacuated from nearby properties as a safety precaution.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne called it a “highly visible and significant incident,” adding:
“Firefighters are working tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible.”
More Than 16,000 Homes Without Power
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) confirmed that the fire had resulted in a widespread outage affecting over 16,300 homes and businesses in Hayes, Hounslow, and surrounding areas.
The Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express rail services to the airport have been suspended, leaving many travellers stranded. National Rail has warned of continued disruption throughout the day.
Over 1,350 Flights Affected — Global Ripple Effect
According to flight tracker Flightradar24, more than 1,351 flights have already been impacted, with diversions underway and delays mounting. Aviation data firm Cirium estimates that as many as 145,000 passengers will be affected by today’s closure alone.
“This is going to disrupt airline operations all over the world,” said Flightradar24 spokesperson Ian Petchenik. “Heathrow is one of the world’s key aviation hubs.”
Images and video from the scene show large flames engulfing the substation structure, and darkened terminal areas inside Heathrow as backup systems fail to maintain normal operations.
What Passengers Need to Know
- Do NOT travel to Heathrow Airport until it reopens.
- Contact your airline for alternative arrangements or rebooking.
- Monitor Heathrow’s official website and social media channels for real-time updates.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but authorities say no injuries have been reported so far. Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene throughout the night and into the weekend.
