This image shared by the London Fire Brigade shows flames at an electrical substation supplying Heathrow Airport, on Friday
A massive fire at an electrical substation in west London led to a complete shutdown of Heathrow Airport on Friday, causing widespread travel disruptions. With power knocked out, the airport was forced to cancel or divert over 1,350 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Flights Canceled, Passengers Stranded
Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, announced the full-day closure to ensure passenger and staff safety. The airport warned of significant disruptions in the coming days and urged travelers to avoid the airport until further notice.
Flights from major U.S. cities were among those canceled. Seven United Airlines flights were either turned back or diverted, while Delta Airlines and American Airlines also canceled flights from New York’s JFK Airport. Several jets had to land at alternative airports, including Gatwick (London), Charles de Gaulle (Paris), and Shannon (Ireland).
Fire Breaks Out, Homes Affected
The London Fire Brigade responded to the incident late Thursday night when a transformer at an electrical substation caught fire. The flames sent huge plumes of smoke into the night sky, with footage of the blaze circulating on social media.
About 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines were deployed to contain the fire, which continued smoldering into Friday morning. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Beyond the airport, the fire caused a widespread power outage affecting thousands of homes and businesses. Over 16,300 homes lost electricity, and approximately 150 residents had to be evacuated.
"The fire has led to a major power outage, and we’re working closely with our partners to minimize disruption," said Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne. Authorities urged people to stay away from the area as crews worked to fully extinguish the flames.
Rail Services Suspended
In addition to flight cancellations, the disruption extended to rail services. National Rail suspended all trains to and from Heathrow, adding to the chaos for travelers.
A Blow to Heathrow’s Record-Breaking Year
The shutdown comes at a time when Heathrow has been experiencing record-breaking passenger traffic. In January alone, the airport handled over 6.3 million travelers, marking an 11-month streak of exceeding 200,000 daily passengers.
The situation is also reminiscent of 2023’s air traffic control failure, which led to nationwide delays on one of the U.K.’s busiest travel days.
No Timeline for Reopening
Heathrow has yet to confirm when power will be fully restored. The airport initially planned to resume operations by 11:59 p.m. Friday, but further updates will depend on repair progress.
As the U.K. government moves forward with plans to expand Heathrow with a third runway, this unexpected closure serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. For now, passengers face uncertainty, waiting for news on when flights will resume.
