Multiple Major Fires Hit London Facilities

Several major fires have occurred in the Paddington and Westminster areas of London in recent days, including a significant blaze at an electrical substation in St John’s Wood on April 29, which required around 100 firefighters and produced heavy smoke. The substation fire briefly spread to a nearby residential building, but was contained without causing power outages or serious injuries. Additional fires at St Mary’s Hospital and a school in Maida Vale led to evacuations, though injuries were minimal. The recent incidents follow a previous substation fire that caused a temporary shutdown at Heathrow Airport, raising concerns about infrastructure vulnerabilities. Authorities have stated there is currently no evidence that the fires are connected, but investigations are ongoing. Public safety measures, including air quality monitoring and advisories to keep windows closed, remain in effect.