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London’s Heathrow Airport—one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs—has been shut down for at least 24 hours following a fire in an electrical substation near the premises. The incident has disrupted power supply, forcing authorities to cancel all incoming and outgoing flights.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Heathrow officials confirmed:
“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will remain closed until 23:59 on March 21. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport.”
Major Air Traffic Disruptions and Flight Diversions
Currently, around 120 flights in the air have been rerouted to nearby airports. According to Eurocontrol, the agency responsible for air traffic management across Europe, no arrivals are being accepted at Heathrow, and emergency diversion plans are underway.
Flight operations are expected to face significant disruptions in the coming days.
Emergency Response and Evacuation Efforts
The London Fire Brigade responded quickly, dispatching 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze. A total of 29 people were evacuated from nearby buildings, and a 200-metre safety cordon was set up.
In total, approximately 150 individuals have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Firefighters are still working to determine the cause of the fire and restore power, but no official timeline has been given.
Second Fire Incident at Heathrow This Month
This is the second fire-related incident at Heathrow in March 2025. Earlier on March 10, a car fire in a tunnel near the terminal had caused congestion and flight delays, though no significant damage was reported.
Passenger Advisory
- All flights to and from Heathrow are cancelled until at least 23:59 on March 21
- Passengers are urged not to travel to the airport
- Airlines are expected to issue updates on rescheduled or diverted flights
