NITN | @notintownlive | 21 Mar 2025, 05:06 am

Massive fire breaks out at substation in London which leaves Heathrow Airport closed. Photo Courtesy: X page video grab
London's Heathrow Airport was shut down till midnight on Friday after a massive fire broke out at a nearby substation which supplies electricity to it.
Alerting passengers, the Airport wrote on X: "Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage."
Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage.
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) March 21, 2025
To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March.
Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport… pic.twitter.com/7SWNJP8ojd
The airport authority further said: "To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March. ."
The airport directed passengers not to travel to the facility and contact airlines for information on their flights.
"We apologise for the inconvenience," the X post said.
Staff Working To Solve
"Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored," a Heathrow spokesperson told BBC, adding that staff were "working as hard as possible to resolve the situation".
Hayes Substation Fire
Located in Hayes town in West London, the fire that broke out at the substation left thousands of homes without power.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters have been called to a fire on Nestles Avenue in #Hayes.
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) March 21, 2025
More info to follow pic.twitter.com/ref9OlXjTf
According to local media reports, authorities have evacuated 150 people from properties located close to the substation.
Ten Fire Engines Operating
London Fire Brigade said ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are working to douse the flame.
According to British media reports, over 16,300 homes are suffering power outages following the fire incident.
Energy supplier Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks wrote on X: "There’s a fire at North Hyde substation in West London and emergency services are in attendance."
There’s a fire at North Hyde substation in West London and emergency services are in attendance.
— Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (@ssencommunity) March 21, 2025
The site has been evacuated and the safety of local residents, our colleagues, and the emergency teams is our highest priority.
We will provide an update as soon as possible. (1/2)
"The site has been evacuated and the safety of local residents, our colleagues, and the emergency teams is our highest priority. We will provide an update as soon as possible," the energy supplier said.
Meanwhile, the cause of the fire is still not known.
? BREAKING: Heathrow Airport says it will be closed all day due to significant power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) March 21, 2025
“We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances” pic.twitter.com/jeqEqb8BX6
LFB Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulborne said firefighters are working tirelessly to bring the flames under control.
Goulbrone told BBC: "This will be a prolonged incident, with crews remaining on scene throughout the night."
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