Heathrow Airport in London is now “safely to restart flights” after a fire in an almost close electricity, closed one of the busiest airports in the world on Friday.
However, even if the airport says that it can restart thefts, officials advised people not to travel “unless your airline has advised you to do so.” The airport said he hoped to “run a full operation” on Saturday.
“Our teams have worked tirelessly since the incident to ensure rapid recovery. We are now able to restart flights, prioritize the repatriation and retribution of planes,” Heathrow said in a statement.
People are waiting at Paddington Station, after a fire in an almost close electricity, wiped energy at Heathrow International Airport in London on March 21, 2025.
Isabel Infants / Reuters
Heathrow airport said that the fire, which provides energy at the airport, had caused a “significant power outage” and that the airport was to be closed until 11:59 p.m. on Friday evening.
“We are expecting a significant disruption in the coming days and passengers should in no case go to the airport until the airport will reopen,” said a spokesperson for Heathrow airport.
In total, 70 firefighters and 10 fire trucks responded to the fire in western London when the London fire brigade was called for the first time at 11:23 p.m. The fire was contained more than seven hours later at 6:28 a.m. on Friday morning, but still burned at around 10% on Friday evening.
“It was a very visible and important incident, and our firefighters worked tirelessly in difficult conditions to control the fire as quickly as possible,” said Deputy Commissioner of London Firemen, Pat Goulbourne. “Thanks to their efforts and their coordinated multi-aging responses, we have successfully fire and prevented themselves from spreading more.” We maintain a presence on the scene throughout the day, helping the national grid when assessing the site. “”
The firefighters safely evacuated 29 people from neighboring properties and, as a precaution, a 200 -meter cord was established with around 150 people evacuated.
“Due to significant smoke, we strongly advise local residents to keep their windows and their doors closed, because a certain smoke will remain for a number of hours today. Scientific advisers will also be on site this morning to carry out more in -depth assessments and monitor air quality,” continued Goulbourne. “Our control agents have dealt with more than 200 emergency calls, offering advice and insurance to the public. As the morning progresses, disturbances should continue and we urge people to avoid the area whenever possible.”
People are waiting to greet friends and parents in front of a sign reading “Heathrow” at Heathrow, Terminal 4, London, United Kingdom. (Photo of: Andy Soloman / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
UCG / UCG / Universal Images Group via G
Counter-terrorist police were at the scene of the Hayes sub-station, confirmed the London police at ABC News, but they warned that it is only because they could investigate more quickly.
“We are working with the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire which remains under investigation. Although there is currently no indication of unfair game, we keep an open mind at the time,” the police said in a statement. “Given the location of the substation and the impact that this incident has had on critical national infrastructure, the MET counter-terrorism command is now in demand.”
According to Cirium, an aviation analysis company. Friday, 665 flights were to leave Heathrow, with 145,094 seats. Friday, 669 flights were to leave for Heathrow, with 145,836 seats, according to Cirium. The fire could assign 270,000 other passengers also on Saturday, said Cirium.
“Consequently, the impact of this incident can be broken over several days, because planes, crew, passengers are moved, with limited spare planes and available seats to recover passengers,” Cirium said in a press release.
The firefighters turn off the fire of the electrical substation of North Hyde, which caught fire Thursday evening and resulted in a closure of Heathrow airport in London, Friday March 21, 2025.
Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP
British Airways, who has a hub at Heathrow airport, said that he advised travelers not to go to the airport and that they are working to inform passengers of their travel options for the next 24 hours and beyond as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, incoming flights to Heathrow are redirected to other British airports, officials said.
“Due to a power failure in the London Heathrow region, London Heathrow Airport is currently closed,” said British Airways. “Consequently, customers who should travel from Heathrow on Friday are invited not to go to the airport until further notice. This will clearly have a significant impact on our operation and our customers and we work as quickly as possible to update them on their travel options for the next 24 hours and beyond.”
The fire caused a power failure affecting a large number of houses and businesses and has led to certain evacuations, said the firefighter. The firefighters led 29 people to the safety of neighboring properties and, as a precaution, established a cord in the area and evacuated around 150 people.
“This is a very visible and significant incident, and our firefighters work tirelessly in difficult conditions to control the fire as quickly as possible,” said Pat Goulbourne, deputy commissioner of the London Fire Brigade statement Shortly before 2 a.m., local time.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, said the firefighter.
Clara McMichael and Ayesha Ali from ABC News contributed to this report.
