HEATHROW Airport has closed after suffering a “significant power outage” due to a fire ripping through a nearby electrical station.
The busy airport will remain closed until 11.59pm on Friday – causing travel chaos and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
It comes as thousands of homes are also without power after the blaze broke out shortly at a substation in West London shortly after 11pm on Thursday.
A spokesman for Heathrow Airport said: “Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage across the airport due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation.
“Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored.
“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 11.59pm on March 21.”
“We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.”
Are you affected by Heathrow’s closure? Get in touch with jamie.phillips@thesun.co.uk
Around 20 people have now been evacuated from their houses, as ten fire engines and 70 firefighters tackle the inferno, according to the London Fire Brigade.
A 100-metre cordon has been put in place around the area of the fire, with locals urged: “Please avoid the area”.
Residents have also been warned of a large-scale power outage in the area.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said in a post on X: “We’re aware of a widespread power cut affecting many of our customers around the Hayes, Hounslow and surrounding areas.
“We’re estimating for power to be restored by 3am.”
London Fire Brigade said it had so far received 190 calls in relation to the fire.
Crews from the surrounding areas of Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, Southall and surrounding fire stations have all been mobilised to the scene.
A spokesman said: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a fire at an electrical substation on Nestles Avenue in Hayes.
“Part of the substation is alight. Around 20 people have been evacuated from neighbouring properties and a 100-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution.
“The Brigade’s Control Officers have taken almost 200 calls to the fire. The first call was received at 2323 and crews from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, Southall and surrounding fire stations were mobilised to the scene.
“The cause of the fire is not known at this time.”
Footage, shared to X, shows orange flames and clouds of dark smoke billowing into the sky.
An emergency vehicle is seen in the foreground attending the scene.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
A fire has broken out at an electrical substation in west London
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