The National Grid has said that Heathrow has been reconnected to power on an ‘interim basis’ as firefighters today gave a major update on the fire that has shuttered the airport for at least 24 hours.
The substation fire in Hayes involved 25,000 litres of cooling oil igniting, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.
‘The network has been reconfigured to restore all customers impacted, including the ability to resupply the parts of Heathrow airport that are connected to North Hyde,’ a National Grid spokesperson said.
‘This is an interim solution while we carry out further work at North Hyde to return the substation and our network to normal operation’.
West London residents have described hearing a ‘massive explosion’ before flames rose into the air and smoke billowed across the capital’s skyline. Around 10% of the substation remains alight.
It came as aerial pictures and footage showed a deserted Heathrow, with the skies over the capital eerily quiet because almost 1,400 flights in and out are cancelled today.
Speaking at the scene of the blaze in Hayes, two miles from Heathrow, London Fire Brigade deputy commissioner Jonathan Smith said: ‘The fire involved a transformer comprising of 25,000 litres of cooling oil fully alight. This created a major hazard due to the still live high-voltage equipment and the nature of the oil-fuelled fire.’
Counter terrorism police are now leading the probe into the electrical substation fire amid claims it could be a Russian sabotage attack linked to Vladimir Putin’s campaign of disruption.
An experienced electrical engineer today blamed the failure of an ‘oil-filled transformer’ for the devastating sub-station fire which shut down Heathrow Airport and blamed a ‘lack of investment’.
Tom Watters, director of Sanguine Impact Investments, told MailOnline: ‘I’m a transmission and distribution engineer having worked all over the world. An oil filled transformer has obviously failed and caused the massive fire.
‘This looks like a very old transformer and it’s surprising that such an old piece of critical equipment was still in service. I assume a lack of investment is the reason.
The substation fire in Hayes involved 25,000 litres of cooling oil igniting, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.
The smouldering North Hyde electrical substation
The eerie and empty runway at Heathrow Airport, where no flights are coming in or out today
The shocking scenes at Heathrow’s main substation in Hayes, which exploded and set alight last night shutting down Britain’s busiest airport for all of Friday grounding 1,357 flights and more than 200,000 people
‘The design of the substation while being ok is also very old style.
‘Modern substations are normally enclosed using gas as the insulation.
‘These are my comments about the cause of the fire that has caused so much disruption.’
A report for London Mayor Sadiq Khan in July 2022 identified major problems with the electricity supply system in west London due to a lack of capacity.
In the North Hyde substation which caused this morning’s chaos in Heathrow, part of its network has been running at 106.2 per cent – far in excess of its capacity including a safety buffer.
According to the report, the vital piece of infrastructure has seven primary substations supplied from the main facility which caught fire today.
The substations are rated in Megavolt-amperes which measures the electrical load carried by the system.
In one substation, the maximum MVA – including a safety buffer is 76MVA. However, peak capacity on that section was measured as 80.7MVA – 106.2 per cent above the safety margin.
Other areas are at 94.7, 89.1 and 86.2 per cent of capacity.
According to the Greater London Authority Report, the lack of capacity is caused by a rapid increase in the number of data centres.
The report warns: ‘The scale of electricity demanded by these data centres has created capacity constraints on both the distribution and transmission networks in the region, absorbing remaining electricity capacity in SSEN’s West London region for the rest of the decade.’
This, the authors claim has impacted new housing developments as they can wait several years for permission to connect to the electricity network due to capacity limits.
In November 2024, it was reported that a network upgrade in the area would not be completed until 2037.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she has spoken with Heathrow boss Thomas Woldbye – but there is no update on when it will reopen.
She said: ‘This morning, I spoke with Heathrow airport’s chief executive to hear the latest on the unprecedented power outage and I am reassured they’re working tirelessly to reopen the airport as soon as possible.
‘I would like to thank everyone involved in responding to this situation – particularly the emergency workers who have worked to contain the fire and keep everyone safe.
‘I appreciate how disruptive this situation is for passengers, but until they hear otherwise the advice remains to avoid travelling to Heathrow.’
The Metropolitan Police declared a major incident for the fire at 12.42am on Friday, Mr Smith said.
Some 67,000 households were left without power due to the incident and 5,000 homes remain without power. There is also no power at Heathrow Airport terminals two or four, Mr Smith said.
As Heathrow is shut down sparking worldwide travel carnage:
The deserted runway and BA’s grounded fleet at Heathrow today. 220,000 people were due to pass through the airport on Friday
Firefighters extinguish the fire at the North Hyde electrical substation, which caught fire Thursday night and lead to a closure of Heathrow Airport in London
Heathrow said in a statement the airport’s back-up energy systems worked ‘as expected’ when the substation fire started.
It said: ‘We have multiple sources of energy into Heathrow.
‘But when a source is interrupted, we have back-up diesel generators and uninterruptable power supplies in place, and they all operated as expected.
‘Our back-up systems are safety systems which allow us to land aircraft and evacuate passengers safely, but they are not designed to allow us to run a full operation.
‘As the busiest airport in Europe, Heathrow uses as much energy as a small city, therefore it’s not possible to have back-up for all of the energy we need to run our operation safely.
‘We are implementing a process which will allow us to redirect power to the affected areas, but this is a safety critical process which takes time, and maintaining safety remains our priority, so we have taken the decision to close the airport for today.’
It came after a British MP today claimed that the drive for Net Zero led to the complete shutdown of Heathrow.
One industry source told Reform MP Richard Tice Heathrow is moving from diesel back-up generators to biomass and the system failed ‘at the first time of asking’ when a local electrical substation went up in flames.
At least 220,000 passengers have been left stranded in Britain and around the world after an electrical fire shut the airport for at least 24 hours – with the level of global travel chaos sparked by the outage being compared to 9/11.
The UK’s busiest airport was forced to close on Friday after its main power substation exploded and set alight less than two miles away in the west London suburb of Hayes.
The complete closure of Heathrow due to the loss of just one electrical substation is unprecedented and raises major questions for the airport and the Government. It has also left many stranded travellers raging and reduced to tears.
Mr Tice said on GB News: ‘It appears that Heathrow had changed its backup systems in order to be, wait for it…Net Zero compliant’.
‘They had got rid of their diesel generators and had moved towards a biomass generator that was designed not to completely replace the grid but work alongside it. Their net zero compliant backup system has completely failed in its core function at the first time of asking’.
MailOnline has asked Heathrow to comment on Mr Tice’s claims. Its 2022 Net Zero plan confirms it is ‘investigating renewable-based alternatives that can still meet the stringent performance criteria’ – but it is not clear how far along those plans are.
Senior sources at the airport have insisted that Heathrow does have back-up power systems but ‘activating contingencies for the whole airport requires some time’ and ‘isn’t immediate’, one insider said to The Times. Bosses are expected to be hauled before Parliament to explain.
Julian Bray, one of the UK’s leading aviation experts said: ‘We are all amazed that Heathrow does not have a viable standby independent of the grid emergency power supply but relies on the National Grid. It’s not as if Heathrow is short of money – it has a substantial war chest for building the third runway’.
Smoke billows from the electrical substation that exploded last night, forcing the complete closure of Heathrow airport in a crisis being compared to 9/11 in terms of flights grounded
A tearful stranded couple at Heathrow T5 this morning
A passenger at Heathrow T5 this morning after fire at an electrical substation knocked out power
Heathrow Airport has been closed on Friday due to a large blaze at a nearby substation
The fire has knocked out power to the airport and 16,300 homes in west London
Dramatic images show flames tearing through the structure as smoke billows into the night sky
Firefighters douse the remainder of a fire that broke out at a substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport in Hayes, west London
The fire appears to now be out but Heathrow will be closed all day
Around 220,000 people were due to travel through Heathrow today and the chaos from the complete closure will rumble on over the weekend and into next week because aircraft and passengers are now in the wrong place all over the world.
At least 1,357 flights have already been cancelled, diverted or delayed today. Some planes already on their way London managed to land at other UK airports – but many including Gatwick are now full.
Dozens of flights have been diverted to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Lyon and other European cities, stranding tens of thousands of people abroad. Some planes were even forced to turn back and set down in New York, Los Angeles, Mumbai and Delhi, where Air India has now cancelled all its flights to London.
British Airways, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Air Canada and Delta have suffered the largest number of cancellations and diversions.
Aviation consultant John Strickland said: ‘It’s a contained version of 9/11 or, to an extent, the Icelandic volcanic eruption. I remembered seeing on those occasions – particularly more so on 9/11 – it happened so quick and then US airspace was closed, they were turning back aircraft and holding planes’.
More than 16,300 homes in west London are also suffering from blackouts on Friday. All trains to Heathrow have also been cancelled. Coach operator National Express announced it has suspended all services to Heathrow.
It is the biggest disruption for UK aviation since the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud grounded and diverted flights in April and May 2010, costing airlines and its customers an estimated £130million every day.
The airport, which sees a plane land or take off every 45 seconds, announced its closure at 2am on Friday and ordered passengers not to come to its terminals.
The fire broke out at around 11.30pm on Thursday, and despite firefighters working throughout the night to bring it under control, part of the transformer remains alight.
Police have launched a major incident as investigators look into the cause of the fire, which is out and is being damped down by specialist firefighters in breathing apparatus this morning.
A local resident said a ‘bright flash of white’ lit up the sky when the explosion happened.
Mathew Muirhead was working a night shift on Thursday when he noticed smoke rising from the electrical substation.
‘We were stood outside our branch in Hayes and my colleague noticed smoke coming over the trees,’ the 42-year-old told PA.
‘It was 23.30 when we saw it, we were heading to West Drayton, so we went to check it out, we heard the sirens as we were headed to Bulls Bridge roundabout.
‘We saw a bright flash of white and all the lights in town went out.
‘My wife rang me and told me our electric was out – I found out a few hours later that Heathrow was completely shut down.’
A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said: ‘Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage.
‘To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport.’
A British couple stuck in China have ‘no idea’ how they will get home after their flight was cancelled.
Sharon Towers and her husband told MailOnline they are stranded in the airport as strict immigration policy means they can’t check into a hotel.
She said: ‘My husband and I are stuck in China.
‘We should have taken off at 1pm local time here Instead we are stuck at the airport with no idea how and when we will get home!
‘We can’t check in to a hotel because of the strict immigration visa policy, to enter back in to the airport, we need a boarding pass so customs can confirm when we are leaving the country.
‘We don’t know that, so we cant get a boarding pass to enter back in to the airport’.
An airport worker dealing with the chaos speaks on the phone as a passenger sleeps on a terminal floor
Stranded passengers with suitcases wait on a nearby road to Heathrow
There will be days of delays to the UK
Passengers affected by the closure have shared their anguish on social media.
One person wrote: ‘There’s a major fire at Heathrow Airport so my flight has now been diverted to Washington and diverted.
‘No clue what happens next. I just want to go home and see my family.’
Another added: ‘Today my flight from Heathrow has been cancelled so what should I do now? My mum is not well and I have to go and see her ASAP.’
Flights set to land at Heathrow are already being diverted, with Flightradar24 saying it would affect at least 1,351 flight to and from Heathrow.
‘That doesn’t include any flights that might be canceled or delayed due to aircraft being out of position,’ the flight tracker site said in a statement.
That means as many as 145,000 travelers could be affected by the closure, according to aviation-data firm Cirium.
FlightRadar24 spokesman Ian Petchenik said that the unplanned closure of Heathrow Airport will disrupt flights all over the world.
‘Heathrow is one of the major hubs of the world,’ he told the Telegraph. ‘This is going to disrupt airlines’ operations around the world.’
A firefighter helps putting out a fire that broke out at a substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport today
Sharon Towers and her husband sent this picture of them stuck in China today
The London Fire Brigade said in a statement that crews would remain at the scene of the fire 1.5miles north of Heathrow Airport throughout the night
Travellers are seen stuck inside a terminal at Heathrow as hundreds of flights are cancelled
More than 16,300 homes in west London are also suffering from blackouts as the fire at the electrical substation continues to rage
Travellers are facing travel chaos has Heathrow airport is shut down due to a fire. Pictured: Traffic near the airport early on Friday morning
People walk past a departure board displaying Singapore Airlines SQ318 flight to London Heathrow as cancelled
Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports for international travel. It had its busiest January on record earlier this year, with more than 6.3 million passengers, up more than 5 per cent for the same period last year.
January also was the 11th month in a row it averaged over 200,000 passengers a day, with the airport citing transatlantic travel as a key contributor.
Flight Radar said it expected there to be 220,000 passengers today.
European airports are dealing with an influx of planes that are too far into their journeys to turn back and have to be diverted to their airports.
Meanwhile, rail services to and from Heathrow have been cancelled for Friday, National Rail said in a statement.
The Elizabeth line between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 4 and also between Shenfield / Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 5 have been suspended, with Heathrow Express services between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5 also being cancelled.
Footage of the blaze shows large clouds of smoke billowing into the sky as firefighters are trying to put out the fire, while videos from inside Heathrow showed the airport lying largely dark amid the power outage.
The fire has left thousands of West London properties without power.
The explosion was reported at 11:30pm, triggering an immediate response from emergency services, including ten fire engines and specialist fire units
Flights set to land at Heathrow are already being diverted, but it is currently unclear how many flights are affected
An electricity substation near Heathrow has caught fire – leaving thousands of West London properties without power
An estimated 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow will be directly impacted by diversions, while more still are expected to be canceled
More than 70 firefighters and ten fire engines have rushed to the scene, on Nestles Avenue in Hayes, to tackle the blaze.
Roughly 150 people have been evacuated from the area and a 200-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution.
Firefighters have advised local residents to keep their windows and doors closed to stop the ‘significant’ amount of smoke entering their homes.
One witness told LBC: ‘I was crossing a bridge and there was a huge explosion.’
Another posted a video of the blaze on X writing: ‘Scary scenes in Hayes. Power cut and massive fire.’
A local resident claimed that ‘all the power is out for the entire area up to Hounslow.’
According to the Powertrack site, around 16,000 households are thought to be affected. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks confirmed the a large-scale power outage in the surrounding areas.
The London Fire Brigade said in a statement during the early hours of Friday: ‘Around 20 people have been evacuated from neighbouring properties and a 200-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution with around 150 people evacuated.
‘The fire is producing a significant amount of smoke and local residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.
‘The Brigade’s Control Officers have taken almost 200 calls to the fire. The first call was received at 10.23pm and crews from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, Southall and surrounding fire stations were mobilised to the scene.’
A Heathrow spokesperson said: ‘Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage across the airport due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation’ (the fire is pictured above)
One witness told LBC: ‘I was crossing a bridge and there was a huge explosion’
Roughly 150 people have been evacuated from the area and a 200-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution
In a further statement around 3am, the fire brigade warned: ‘Crews remain at the scene of the fire in #Hayes – please continue to keep windows & doors closed due to smoke & avoid the area. This will be a prolonged incident, with crews remaining on scene throughout the night.’
Assistant Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade Pat Goulbourne said: ‘This is a highly visible and significant incident, and our firefighters are working tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible.
‘The fire has caused a power outage affecting a large number of homes and local businesses, and we are working closely with our partners to minimise disruption.
‘Firefighters have led 29 people to safety from neighbouring properties, and as a precaution, a 200-metre cordon has been established, with around 150 people evacuated.
‘Due to the significant amount of smoke, we strongly advise local residents to keep their windows and doors closed. Control Officers have handled nearly 200 calls, offering vital guidance and reassurance to the public.
‘This will be a prolonged incident, with crews remaining on scene throughout the night. As we head into the morning, disruption is expected to increase, and we urge people to avoid the area wherever possible.’
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
No injuries have so far been reported.
