Major Fire at Heathrow Substation Disrupts Flights, Cuts Power to 16,000 Homes

Heathrow Airport has suspended all operations for March 21 following a significant fire at a nearby electrical substation in Hayes, which caused a major power outage affecting over 16,000 homes. The fire began around 11 PM on March 20, leading to the evacuation of approximately 150 residents and the deployment of around 70 firefighters to manage the situation. Passengers have been advised not to travel to the airport, and over 120 flights have already been diverted or canceled due to the disruption. Authorities expect the impact of the fire to last for several days, with continued uncertainty regarding the restoration of power. The London Fire Brigade has established a 200-meter cordon around the site and is working to minimize disruption amid a challenging response effort. Heathrow, serving millions of passengers annually, is focused on ensuring safety during this ongoing crisis.