A massive fire at a power station near Heathrow Airport brought the world’s second-busiest airport to a standstill. Imagine being a passenger, waiting to board your flight, and suddenly the entire airport goes dark. This is what happened to thousands of travelers when a blaze at the North Hyde substation sparked chaos.
The fire, which started in the early hours, affected over 1,357 flights, with 679 incoming and 678 outgoing flights canceled or diverted to other airports like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, and Manchester. Passengers like Marhia, a 74-year-old traveler with Brussels Airlines, were left bewildered. She arrived at the airport to find it in darkness, with no clear information from staff. Ellen, a British Airways passenger, had to cancel her birthday trip to Venice but received a refund from the airline.
Investigating the Cause
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but the London Fire Brigade’s Deputy Commissioner, Jonathan Smith, revealed that the blaze intensified due to 25,000 liters of oil in the electrical transformer catching fire. Despite an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit, there is currently no evidence to suggest the fire was a deliberate act. Energy Minister Ed Miliband confirmed that the inquiry has found no indication of a deliberate act.
Questions Over Backup Power
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of Heathrow’s backup power system. Dr. Alan Mendoza from the Henry Jackson Society pointed out that while fires can happen, they should not bring an entire airport to a halt. This suggests the backup system may not be robust enough. Heathrow Airport stated that its backup system functioned as intended but was not designed to support full operations, only allowing planes to land and passengers to be evacuated.
Current Situation
The fire has been brought under control, and Heathrow has resumed some flights. The airport hopes to return to full service soon. A spokesperson warned passengers not to travel to the airport unless advised by their airline, while British Airways urged passengers to avoid Heathrow, working to update travelers on alternative travel options for the next 24 hours and beyond. This incident marks one of the most significant aviation disruptions in the UK and may take several days to resolve.