A massive fire broke out at an electrical substation in Hayes, West London, after a transformer containing more than 25,000 litres of cooling oil caught fire. The explosion sent towering flames into the night sky late on Thursday, causing widespread power outages and significant disruption at Heathrow Airport.
The blaze plunged approximately 67,000 homes into darkness, with around 4,000 properties still without power by Friday afternoon. The fire also damaged parts of Heathrow Airport’s power supply, cutting electricity to Terminals 2 and 4 and forcing the cancellation of over 1,300 flights.
At the height of the incident, 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines were deployed to battle the intense flames for more than seven hours before bringing the situation under control. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Photos shared by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and social media users showed the substation engulfed in fierce flames with thick smoke rising high above. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud bang just before the fire started.
In a statement, the London Fire Brigade confirmed, “The fire originated from a transformer that held more than 25,000 litres of cooling oil. The blaze was particularly dangerous due to the high voltage surging through the substation when the explosion occurred.” Firefighters remained on site into Friday afternoon as about 10% of the substation was still smouldering.
The power outage caused chaos at Heathrow Airport, with temporary closures in some terminals leaving thousands of passengers stranded. British Airways warned that the disruption would have a “huge impact” over the coming days. In Hayes and surrounding areas, schools were forced to close, and Hillingdon Council arranged emergency bin collections to manage the blackout.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the crisis, stating, “I know the situation at Heathrow is causing distress and disruption, especially for those travelling or without power at home. I’m receiving regular updates and remain in close contact with partners on the ground. Thanks to our emergency workers for keeping people safe.”
Electricity suppliers, led by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), are working to restore power across West London. Full recovery is expected to take time due to the extent of the damage. Police counter-terror units are assisting as a precaution, although there is no indication of foul play. Residents are advised to monitor updates from their local councils and electricity providers. Heathrow Airport has also published new travel advisories on its website to assist stranded passengers.
Originally published by UKNIP.
