Metropolitan Police have issued an update following the major fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, West London, which caused widespread disruption earlier today, including power outages and the temporary closure of Heathrow Airport.
Commander Simon Messinger, who is leading the police response to the incident, praised the collaborative efforts of emergency services and partner agencies while confirming that the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation — not due to any current evidence of foul play, but to utilise specialist capabilities given the location’s proximity to critical national infrastructure.
“We continue to work with various partners in response to the serious fire at an electricity sub-station in Hayes in the early hours of this morning (Friday, 21 March),” said Commander Messinger.
“A number of local officers have been deployed to the area to provide support, help and advice to local residents and businesses and help keep the local community safe.”
Emergency services responded to the incident after a transformer caught fire at the North Hyde substation, triggering a major incident declaration. The fire, which began shortly after midnight, led to significant power loss, flight cancellations, and road closures.
“In the early hours, officers also supported local authorities and others to evacuate nearby residents to ensure people were safe. We are pleased that impacted residents are now able to return home, and our officers remain on-hand alongside Hillingdon Council to assist with this process,” Commander Messinger added.
The Metropolitan Police also worked closely with National Highways England to manage road traffic disruption and maintain safety around the affected area.
Investigation Underway, No Foul Play Suspected
Commander Messinger confirmed that although enquiries are ongoing, there is no indication at this stage of any foul play.
“Due to the location of the substation and the impact this incident has had on critical national infrastructure, the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command are leading our enquiries into this matter,” he said.
“This is due to the specialist resources and capabilities within that command that can assist in progressing this investigation at pace and help minimise disruption while identifying the cause.”
Specialist investigators remain on site alongside the London Fire Brigade, National Grid, and SSEN, working to determine the circumstances surrounding the blaze. Full assessments are expected to take time as the scene remains under close examination.
Continued Support for Local Communities
Local police presence remains in place across Hillingdon, Hounslow, and Ealing, with officers offering support to communities and responding to public concerns.
“Anyone with concerns over their safety should talk to a local officer,” Commander Messinger said. “We would like to thank the public and those directly affected for their patience and understanding while the important firefighting activity continues.”
Information Appeal
Authorities have urged anyone with information that may help the ongoing investigation to come forward. The public can contact the police on 0800 789 321.
