Heathrow Airport closed after devastating substation fire causes massive disruption

On March 21, 2025, the UK experienced significant travel disruption when Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, was closed following a devastating fire at a nearby electrical substation in Hayes, west London. The blaze started late Thursday night around 11:23 PM, prompting emergency services to respond rapidly to the scene. Approximately 70 firefighters and multiple fire engines were deployed to contain the fire, which resulted in widespread power outages affecting thousands of local residents. As a result, around 1,350 flights to and from Heathrow were canceled or diverted, causing chaos for hundreds of thousands of travelers. The London Fire Brigade reported receiving nearly 200 emergency calls about a sizable explosion preceding the fire that led to the power outage. Evacuations were conducted for approximately 150 people living in proximity to the substation, and many local businesses were also affected due to the simultaneous power cuts. By the morning of March 21, National Grid confirmed that power had been restored to a portion of the affected homes, but many were still without electricity. Heathrow issued a public statement advising passengers to stay away from the airport until further notice, while confirming its operational closure until at least 11:59 PM the same day. The ramifications of the closure extended beyond the airport with significant disruptions in train services and travel plans for numerous passengers. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented on the