Explosion Sparks Massive Blaze at Hayes Electrical Substation
Major Incident Declared After Late-Night Explosion
Police have declared a major incident in Hayes following a huge explosion at an electrical substation on Nestles Avenue. The blast erupted around 11:30pm on Friday, setting a large fire at a nearby new building construction site.
Emergency services launched a full-scale response immediately, deploying ten fire engines and specialist units to battle the inferno. Hundreds of homes have been plunged into darkness as power cuts spread across the area.
Firefighters Battle Intense Flames with Specialist Equipment
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) sent a High Volume Pump (HVP) to haul in vast amounts of water to douse the fierce blaze. Two Bulk Foam Units also joined the fight to tackle the complex and escalating fire.
Teams have set up rendezvous points at North Hyde Gardens and the junction of North Hyde Road and Station Road to coordinate the massive operation.
Residents Evacuated as Roads Shut Down
Around 20 people have been evacuated from homes near the site, while a 100-metre cordon remains in place as a safety precaution. Multiple road closures are disrupting local traffic, with bus routes rerouted until the situation is under control.
“This is a dynamic and ongoing incident. Emergency crews are working hard to bring the fire under control. We ask the public to stay away from the area for their safety and to allow crews full access,” a fire service spokesperson urged.
Investigation Into Cause Will Follow Once Fire Is Out
The cause of the explosion remains a mystery. Firefighters and police will launch a full investigation once the fire is extinguished and the site is safe to access. So far, no injuries have been reported.
An LFB spokesman said:
“Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a fire at an electrical substation on Nestles Avenue in Hayes. Around 20 people were evacuated, and a 100-metre cordon was set up as a precaution. The brigade has taken nearly 200 emergency calls since the first report at 11:23pm. Crews from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, Southall, and nearby stations responded immediately. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.”
