London: A fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, West London, disrupted power supplies, including a temporary closure of Heathrow Airport on Friday. The London Fire Brigade reported that ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters worked to contain the blaze at the Nestles Avenue substation. By Friday evening, the fire was under control, but investigations are ongoing. No injuries have been reported.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne commended the response efforts, highlighting the swift containment of the fire, which had caused a widespread power outage affecting homes, businesses, and the airport. The Fire Brigade evacuated 29 people from nearby properties, with a 200-meter cordon, and an additional 150 people evacuated as a precaution.
The incident led to Heathrow Airport’s closure until midnight on Friday due to a significant power outage. The airport urged passengers to avoid travelling and contact airlines for flight updates. Air India flights to and from Heathrow were among those cancelled. However, Gatwick Airport reported normal operations despite the disruption.
As of Friday evening, power had been partially restored to affected areas, but energy supplier Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and emergency services continue to address the situation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
