London (Web Desk/Agencies): A major disruption has hit Heathrow Airport following a large fire that broke out at an electricity substation in west London on Thursday night.
The fire, which was contained by early Friday, resulted in a power failure, forcing the airport to close its operations for the day. Travelers have been warned that they should anticipate ongoing issues in the coming days.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the substation’s backup power system was also damaged in the fire.
While no foul play is suspected, Miliband described the event as an “unprecedented accident” that has left authorities scrambling to restore the airport's power.
The fire's effects have been significant, with over 1,300 flights already impacted, according to Flightradar24, and passengers have been urged to avoid heading to the airport for the time being.
Miliband emphasized the urgency of fixing the situation, stressing that work to restore power and reopen the airport is a top priority.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said that she has been receiving updates about the fast-evolving crisis, which continues to leave thousands of passengers stranded and in uncertainty.