Heathrow airport closes all day on Friday due to a large fire in a nearby electrical substation that provides it.
The airport is experiencing a “significant power outage” due to the fire, said a Heathrow declaration.
“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 11:59 p.m. on March 21,” he added.
“Passengers are advised not to go to the airport and should contact their airline for more information. We apologize for the disadvantages.”
“While the firefighters respond to the incident, we have no clarity at the moment when power can be restored reliably,” said a Heathrow spokesperson.
The fire of the under-station of Hayes, in western London, left thousands of houses without electricity and has evacuated around 150 people from the surrounding properties.
Ten firefighters and around 70 firefighters were sent to tackle the fire, said London Fire Brigade (LFB).
A 200 -meter cord was put in place as a precaution, and local residents were invited to keep the doors and windows closed due to a “large amount of smoke”.
More than 16,300 houses have lost electricity in a cause of large -scale breakdown by fire, the Scottish energy supplier and Southern Electricity Networks said on X.
“We are aware of a widespread energy cutting affecting many of our customers around the Hayes, Hounslow and the surrounding area,” he added.
The LFB said it had received nearly 200 fires on fire, which broke out late Thursday evening.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 11:23 p.m. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
“This is a very visible and important incident, and our firefighters work tirelessly in difficult conditions to control the fire as quickly as possible,” said LFB assistant commissioner Pat Goulborne.
“It will be an extended incident, with crews remaining on the scene throughout the night,” he added.
“While we head to the morning, the disturbances should increase and we urge people to avoid the area as far as possible.”
