A massive fire near London’s Heathrow Airport caused widespread disruption on Friday, shutting down one of the world’s busiest airports for an entire day and leaving hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded. The fire, which broke out at an electrical substation just two miles (three kilometers) from the airport, also triggered a power outage that affected Heathrow’s backup supply, forcing the airport to close.
According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, at least 1,350 flights were impacted, with the effects expected to last several days as airlines work to reposition planes and crews while passengers scramble to rebook their travel plans.
Explosion and Fireball Near Heathrow
Residents in West London reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing a massive fireball and thick smoke rising from the site. The blaze, which erupted on Thursday night, took firefighters seven hours to bring under control.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, but there is no indication of foul play, according to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. However, due to the fire’s location and its impact on critical infrastructure, counterterrorism officers are leading the inquiry.
Flights Diverted and Travelers Stranded
With Heathrow closed, flights already in the air were rerouted to alternative airports, including Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Shannon in Ireland. Some flights were even diverted as far as Glasgow, leaving passengers scrambling to find alternative ways to reach their destinations.
One traveler, Lawrence Hayes, was en route from New York to London when his Virgin Atlantic flight was redirected to Glasgow. “It was a red-eye flight, and I’d already had a full day, so I don’t even know how long I’ve been up for,” he told the BBC. Fortunately, his wife was able to book him a train ticket to London, but he described the ordeal as “an incredibly long day.”
At Heathrow itself, many passengers turned up hoping their flights would still depart, only to be turned away. Andrea Sri, who had come to the airport with her family to catch a flight to Dallas, described the situation as confusing and frustrating. “We tried to contact British Airways, but their phone lines don’t open until 8 a.m. It was a waste of time.”
Travel Chaos to Last for Days
Aviation consultant Anita Mendiratta warned that the disruption would continue for several days, even after Heathrow reopens. “It’s not just about resuming scheduled flights—aircraft and crew are out of position, and the backlog of passengers will take time to clear,” she explained.
To help alleviate the chaos, some airlines, including Qantas, diverted their long-haul flights to Paris, where passengers were put on buses to London. Meanwhile, budget carrier Ryanair, which does not operate out of Heathrow, scheduled eight additional “rescue flights” between Dublin and Stansted Airport.
Adding to the disruption, National Rail canceled all train services to and from Heathrow, leaving stranded passengers with few transport options.
An Unusual Silence Over Heathrow
With Heathrow typically seeing a plane take off or land every 90 seconds, its closure created an eerie silence over the area. Local resident James Henderson, who has lived near the airport for more than two decades, remarked, “Usually, the noise of planes and traffic is constant, but today, you can actually hear the birds singing.”
Power Outages and Evacuations
The fire also caused a major blackout, plunging more than 16,300 homes into darkness, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Around 150 residents near the substation were evacuated as firefighters battled the flames.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne of the London Fire Brigade praised the firefighters’ efforts. “This was a highly visible and significant incident. Our crews worked tirelessly under challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible.”
Long-Term Impact
The Heathrow shutdown brings back memories of past travel disruptions, such as the 2010 volcanic eruption in Iceland, which led to months of transatlantic travel chaos. While this fire’s impact is not expected to last as long, the consequences will be felt for days.
Earlier this year, the UK government approved the expansion of Heathrow with a third runway, aimed at boosting the economy and improving global connectivity. Friday’s incident serves as a stark reminder of how vital the airport is to the UK and international travel.
