Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a public statement thanking emergency workers for their efforts following the significant disruption at Heathrow Airport, caused by a major power outage linked to a fire at an electrical substation in west London.

The fire, which broke out at the North Hyde substation in Hayes on Thursday night (March 20), triggered widespread power failures, forcing the cancellation and diversion of over 1,300 flights, stranding thousands of passengers and affecting services globally.

“Distress and Disruption” Across the UK and Beyond

Sir Keir took to X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge the distress experienced by travellers and those affected by power cuts in the surrounding area.

I know the situation in Heathrow is causing distress and disruption, especially for those travelling or without power in their homes.
I’m receiving regular updates and I’m in close contact with partners on the ground.
Thanks to our emergency workers for keeping people safe,” he posted.

Fire Brought Under Control After Overnight Blaze

Emergency services were first alerted to the fire just after 11pm on Thursday. London Fire Brigade crews worked through the night, eventually bringing the blaze under control by 6.28am on Friday morning.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and an investigation is currently underway.

Heathrow: No Clarity on Full Power Restoration

In a statement, Heathrow Airport said it will remain closed until at least 11.59pm on Friday, and warned of “significant disruption over the coming days”, with ripple effects expected at other UK and international airports.

The airport also stated it still does “not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored”, fuelling uncertainty among travellers and airlines alike.

Travel Chaos and Global Impact

According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, more than 1,300 flights have been affected, with numerous services diverted, returned to departure airports, or cancelled outright.

The situation has also affected National Express coach services, which have suspended all services to Heathrow, and hotel prices near the airport have surged, leaving many passengers facing financial and logistical headaches.

Airlines Urged to Communicate Directly with Travellers

Heathrow has apologised for the chaos and advised passengers to check directly with airlines for updates before heading to the airport.

Public Urged to Stay Informed

Travellers are being encouraged to monitor airline alerts, government travel advisories, and local news updates as the situation develops.