A massive blaze erupted at a high-voltage electrical substation near Heathrow Airport just before midnight on 20 March, causing widespread disruption and prompting a major emergency response. After six days of continuous firefighting, the fire was finally brought under control.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) faced a challenging battle against a transformer fire fueled by highly flammable insulating oil. Firefighters initially subdued the flames by 6.28am on 21 March but continued to tackle hotspots for several days. They employed foam, misting jets, and indirect cooling methods to safely manage the fire.
At the height of the operation, the emergency response included 10 fire engines, 2 Bulk Foam Units, 1 High Volume Pump, and around 70 firefighters. The Brigade’s drone unit played a crucial role by using thermal imaging to detect hidden flames in difficult-to-access areas.
For safety reasons, a 200-metre cordon was established, leading to the evacuation of approximately 150 local residents. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith commended the efforts of the emergency teams, stating: “Our firefighters worked tirelessly in challenging and hazardous conditions overnight to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank firefighters, Control officers and staff for their courage and professionalism in bringing this incident under control.”
The Metropolitan Police declared a major incident shortly after midnight on the night the fire began, due to the risks posed by the flammable materials and the proximity to critical infrastructure. Fire crews remained on site, waiting for the oil fire to diminish before launching a final attack with water monitors on 26 March.
A joint investigation by the London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police has ruled out foul play. Electrical equipment failure is the suspected cause of the fire. The LFB will continue its investigation alongside Fire Safety Officers under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Local residents have now returned to their homes, and normal conditions are expected to resume once the investigation is complete.
Originally published by UKNIP.
