A Large magnitude fire in one Electric Station located in Hayeswest of Londoncaused the total suspension of operations in the Heathrow airportone of the busiest in the world. The closure will be maintained at least until Cinalize March 21.
The incident generated a Mass blackout that affects not only the airport, but also Thousands of households and shops in the area. “Heathrow is experiencing a significant energy cut”, The airport operator reported in an official statement.
Given the situation, passengers were asked to Avoid moving to the airport and that they communicate with their airlines to obtain updated information about their flights. With an annual traffic of More than 80 million passengersHeathrow’s stoppage represents one of the most serious interruptions in the recent history of aviation in the United Kingdom.
He London Fire Department confirmed that the fire originated in a Electric transformer within the substation. To deal with the emergency, they deployed 70 firefighters and 10 endowmentswho work intensely in adverse conditions. He Deputy Commissioner Pat Goulbourne described the incident as a “significant and very visible fire”And he said the teams are doing everything possible to quench him quickly.
Due to the severity of the fire and the Dense cloud of smokea 200 meter security cordwhich forced evacuate 150 people and rescue 29 trapped in nearby properties. Residents were asked to Maintain closed doors and windows Until the situation is under control.
Although the exact causes of the fire are still investigated, the authorities have ensured that they are working closely with electricity supply companies and emergency bodies for minimize the impact.
Flights had to deviate in the United Kingdom
He Heathrow closure caused the diversion of at least 120 flightsaffecting more than 1,300 air operations. As reported Flightradar24some flights had to be redirected to alternative airports, such as Airways aircraft from Perthwhich landed in Parisand a United Airlines flight destined to New Yorkwhich was diverted to Shannon, Ireland.
Other airlines, such as British Airways and Virgin Atlanticthey also adjusted their operations, sending some of their aircraft to the Gatwick airportsouth London. “Today’s total closure of the London-Heathrow Airport will affect at least at 1,351 flights“, public Flightradar24 in your account of Bluesky.
Since Heathrow is a nerve point of world connections, the impact of the fire could generate disturbances in the next dayseven after reopening. “Heathrow’s closure will interrupt the operations of airlines worldwide”He warned Ian Petchenikspokesman for Flightradar24.
Thousands of homes were left without electricity due to the fire
The fire also left without electric supply to More than 16,000 homesas reported by the company Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN). The company said its technicians are working to counterreloj to restore service as soon as possible.
As the day progresses, the authorities are expected to provide more details about the evolution of the incident, the restoration of the electricity supply and the reopening of the airport. However, The effects of this incident will continue to feel in aerial operability and in the daily life of thousands of people in the coming days.
Source: Ambito
