Late on Wednesday night, a massive explosion rocked a high-voltage substation near Heathrow Airport. London’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) has joined forces with London Fire Brigade (LFB) investigators to determine the cause of the blast.
At 11:23pm on March 20, the LFB received over 200 emergency calls reporting a spectacular fire and explosion at the substation. A transformer containing 25,000 litres of cooling oil caught fire, creating a dangerous and intense blaze. The oil-fed fire, combined with live high-voltage equipment, posed serious risks to emergency crews.
By 00:42, the Metropolitan Police declared a major incident as firefighters worked urgently to control the fire.
At the height of the response, approximately 70 firefighters operated ten fire engines, two Bulk Foam Units, and a High Volume Pump to tackle the flames. Crews arrived on site within five minutes of the explosion.
The blast caused power outages affecting about 67,000 homes across west London. By Thursday morning, around 5,000 properties remained without electricity. Heathrow Airport’s Terminals 2 and 4 were also impacted, leading to flight delays and rerouting overnight.
Police established a 200-metre safety cordon around the substation. Twenty-nine nearby residents were evacuated, and approximately 150 people were taken to a rest centre as a precaution.
Specialist fire investigators, scientific advisers, and SO15 officers are currently examining the wreckage for clues. While no foul play is suspected at this stage, authorities are conducting a thorough investigation due to the explosion’s scale and the strategic importance of the location.
“Restoring power remains our top priority,” said an LFB spokesperson. “We are supporting National Grid engineers as they assess the site and work towards full restoration.”
A senior LFB official commended the firefighters’ bravery, stating, “Their courage and professionalism in such hazardous conditions was exceptional.”
Officials have urged the public to avoid the area while recovery efforts continue. Disruptions to power and transport are expected throughout the day. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Originally published by UKNIP.
