Massive Explosion Rocks Power Station Near Heathrow
Late on Wednesday night, a huge explosion tore through a high-voltage substation close to Heathrow Airport. London’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) has joined forces with London Fire Brigade (LFB) investigators to uncover what caused the blast.
Fiery Inferno Sparks Major Incident Alert
At 11:23pm on March 20, LFB got hammered with over 200 emergency calls reporting a spectacular fire and explosion at the substation. A transformer holding a massive 25,000 litres of cooling oil burst into flames, creating a blazing and highly dangerous scene. The intense oil-fed fire, combined with live high-voltage equipment, put emergency crews at serious risk.
By 00:42, the Metropolitan Police declared a major incident as firefighters scrambled to tackle the blaze.
Massive Fire Response and Widespread Power Outages
At the peak, around 70 firefighters deployed ten fire engines, two Bulk Foam Units, and a High Volume Pump to bring the flames under control. Crews were on site within five minutes.
The explosion cut power to approximately 67,000 homes across west London. By Thursday morning, around 5,000 properties remained in the dark. Heathrow Airport’s Terminals 2 and 4 were also hit, causing flight delays and reroutes overnight.
Safety Cordon and Evacuations in Place
Police set up a 200-metre safety cordon around the site. 29 residents nearby were evacuated, with about 150 people taken to a rest centre as a precaution.
Specialist fire investigators, scientific advisers, and SO15 officers are on the scene, combing the wreckage for clues. While no foul play is suspected so far, authorities emphasise a thorough investigation given the explosion’s scale and strategic location.
Restoring Power and Ongoing Investigations
“Restoring power remains our top priority,” said an LFB spokesperson. “We are supporting National Grid engineers as they assess the site and work towards full restoration.”
A senior LFB official praised the crews’ bravery: “Their courage and professionalism in such hazardous conditions was exceptional.”
Officials urge the public to steer clear of the area while recovery continues. Disruption to power and transport is expected throughout the day. More updates will follow as the investigation unfolds.
