London: Heathrow Airport announced a complete closure for the entire day on Friday due to a fire at an electrical substation that powers the airport, according to airport officials.
In a statement shared on its X account, the authorities emphasized that the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
They urged travelers not to head to the airport and to reach out to their airlines for additional information.
"Heathrow is facing a major power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation. To ensure the safety of our passengers and staff, the airport will remain closed until 23:59 on March 21. We advise passengers not to travel to the airport and to contact their airline for updates. We apologize for any inconvenience," Heathrow Airport stated on X.
As one of the busiest airports globally, Heathrow also cautioned that "significant disruptions" are anticipated in the following days, as reported by CNN.
In a statement to CNN, Heathrow Airport noted, "We anticipate considerable disruption in the coming days, and passengers should refrain from traveling to the airport until it reopens," adding that they "do not have a clear timeline for when power will be reliably restored."
CNN reported that the London Fire Brigade confirmed a transformer at an electrical substation in Hayes, west London, was on fire. The response included ten fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne commented on the incident, stating, "This is a highly visible and significant event, and our firefighters are working diligently under difficult conditions to control the fire as quickly as possible."
He also mentioned, "The fire has resulted in a power outage impacting many homes and local businesses, and we are collaborating closely with our partners to reduce disruption."
The statement highlighted that firefighters have safely evacuated 29 individuals from nearby properties, and a precautionary 200-meter cordon has been set up, leading to the evacuation of around 150 people.
The London Fire Brigade noted that they had received nearly 200 calls regarding the incident and indicated that it would be a lengthy operation, with further disruptions anticipated as the morning progresses.
They advised the public to steer clear of the area if possible and stated that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
