The London Fire Brigade has confirmed that Heathrow Airport was shut down due to a fire incident that caused a power outage.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne stated that authorities are working diligently to minimize disruptions.
“This is a highly visible and significant incident, and our firefighters are working tirelessly under challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible.
“The fire has resulted in a power outage affecting numerous homes and local businesses. We are collaborating closely with our partners to reduce the impact. Firefighters have led 29 people to safety from nearby properties, and as a precaution, a 200-meter cordon has been established, with approximately 150 people evacuated.”
Following the incident, Heathrow Airport announced its closure until midnight on Friday, leaving tens of thousands of travellers stranded.
As Europe’s busiest airport, Heathrow confirmed on Friday that a “significant” power failure had occurred due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the facility.
“To ensure the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will remain closed until 23:59 on 21 March,” the airport said in a post on X.
“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further updates. We apologise for the inconvenience.”
