Heathrow Airport in London will be closed for the entire day on Friday. According to the BBC, the closure was due to a major fire at an electrical substation near the airport, which disrupted the electricity supply to the airport.
A statement from the airport said, “The fire has caused a significant disruption to the electricity supply at the airport.” It further added, “For the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow Airport will remain closed until midnight, 23:59, on March 21.”
Passengers have been advised not to come to the airport and are encouraged to contact their airlines for further information. The airport also apologized for the inconvenience caused to travelers. Heathrow, the largest airport in the UK, handles around 1,300 flights daily.
A fire at an electricity substation, which prompted the closure of Heathrow Airport, is now “under control,” according to the London Fire Brigade. The blaze, described as “very visible and significant,” led to significant disruptions at the airport, impacting travelers. London fire brigade’s assistant commissioner, Pat Goulbourne, commended the efforts of the firefighters who battled the flames in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible.
Goulbourne further highlighted the success of the coordinated multi-agency response, stating that the fire was contained effectively and the spread was prevented. Thanks to the dedication of the emergency responders, the situation was managed swiftly, ensuring no further damage occurred despite the intensity of the fire.
