LONDON: Heathrow Airport, among the world’s busiest, shut down completely Friday due to a massive power outage.
Officials blamed the outage on a fire at an electrical substation near the airport.
A transformer in Hayes, west London, caught fire late Thursday, causing a major disruption.
The London Fire Brigade deployed 70 firefighters and ten fire engines to tackle the blaze.
Authorities enforced a 200-meter safety cordon, evacuating around 150 people from the affected area.
Emergency Response
Firefighters rescued 29 people from surrounding buildings as smoke spread from the burning substation.
Crews arrived at the scene at 11:23 p.m. local time and continued working through the night.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne urged people to avoid the affected area to prevent further chaos.
Officials said they have not yet determined the fire’s cause but are investigating.
The blaze led to a significant power failure, affecting Heathrow’s entire operational system.
Passenger Advisory
Heathrow Airport announced a total closure, ensuring passenger and staff safety amid the power failure.
Officials confirmed the shutdown would last until 23h59 on 21 March.
Travelers were warned not to visit the airport and instead contact their airlines for updates.
Authorities said flights, terminals, and all services would remain suspended throughout the day.
Widespread Impact
The unexpected closure caused travel chaos, affecting thousands of scheduled flights worldwide.
Airlines scrambled to accommodate displaced passengers and reschedule affected journeys.
Experts predict a severe impact on the global aviation network in the coming days.
Travelers faced uncertainty as airlines struggled to manage cancellations and rebookings.
Many passengers expressed frustration over last-minute flight cancellations and delays.
Future Disruptions
Heathrow Airport warned of major disruptions lasting several days due to operational setbacks.
Officials advised the public not to visit the airport until an official reopening notice is issued.
Engineers are working urgently to restore power and resume airport operations.
The airport acknowledged passengers’ disappointment but assured them efforts are ongoing to resolve the crisis.
