RNS: London’s Heathrow Airport has resumed operations after an 18-hour shutdown caused by a fire at a nearby substation that led to significant power disruption in the city.
The fire, which broke out Thursday evening at the North Hyde plant in Hayes, west London, left approximately 200,000 passengers stranded as flights were grounded, and inbound planes were diverted to other airports in Europe.
The substation fire also left 65,000 homes without power. The London Fire Brigade responded with ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters, who managed to control the blaze.
The fire involved a transformer with 25,000 liters of cooling oil, creating a significant hazard due to the high-voltage equipment and oil-fueled flames. As a precaution, 29 people were evacuated from neighboring properties, and around 150 individuals were moved to a rest center, though most have since returned home.
Heathrow Airport authorities confirmed the airport would be operating fully by Saturday and urged travelers to check with airlines before heading to the airport. British Airways and other airlines have resumed services, with operations prioritizing the repatriation and relocation of aircraft.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed there is no indication of foul play, and their Counter Terrorism Command is leading investigations due to the impact on critical infrastructure. Further assessments of the scene are ongoing.
