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Heathrow Airport Shuts Down After Massive Power Outage
Heathrow Airport has been forced to close after a major power outage sparked by a huge fire at an electrical substation. The blaze knocked out power to the UK’s busiest airport, leaving terminals in total darkness and grinding operations to a halt.
Transformer Fire in Hayes Causes Chaos
The disaster began with a transformer fire at a substation on Nestles Avenue, Hayes, West London. Emergency services declared a major incident overnight. Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters tackled the blaze, which also left over 16,000 homes and businesses without power across Hayes, Hounslow, and nearby areas.
A 200-metre cordon remains in place, and nearly 150 people have been evacuated from the area as a precaution.
Flights Cancelled, Passengers Stranded
All Heathrow terminals are affected, with operations suspended until 23:59 on 21 March, the airport confirmed. Key systems and services like check-in and baggage handling have stopped, plunging terminals into chaos.
“Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March,” the airport said on social media.
Passengers are urgently advised not to travel to Heathrow today. They should contact airlines for updates on flight rescheduling and alternative arrangements.
Many inbound flights have been diverted to other UK airports.
Airlines Scramble to Help Stranded Customers
Major carriers including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa are rerouting flights and rebooking affected passengers. Travellers are urged to check directly with their airlines and monitor Heathrow’s official channels for updates.
“Our teams are working closely with emergency services and energy providers to restore power as quickly as possible,” Heathrow added. “We understand the frustration this causes and appreciate passengers’ patience as we respond to this unexpected situation.”
What You Need to Do
- Do not travel to Heathrow Airport today (21 March).
- Contact your airline for rebooking or refund options.
- Follow Heathrow’s official website and social media for live updates.
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