London’s Heathrow Airport has been forced to shut down following a massive power outage caused by a fire at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, west London. The closure has left thousands of travelers stranded, with over 1,300 flights worldwide expected to be affected.

What caused the Heathrow shutdown?

The fire, which broke out on Thursday night at 23:23 GMT, severely disrupted the power supply to Heathrow and surrounding areas. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, but UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the fire also took down a backup power generator. Emergency services responded promptly, but the impact has been widespread.

How long will Heathrow remain closed?

Heathrow Airport has stated that it does not yet have clarity on when power will be fully restored. The airport is expected to remain closed until at least 23:59 tonight, with authorities warning of significant disruptions over the coming days. "We will provide an update when more information on the resumption of operations is available," the airport said in a statement.

Are flights at Gatwick affected?

London Gatwick Airport remains operational, but some flights originally scheduled for Heathrow have been diverted there. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates.

Impact on travelers

Heathrow’s shutdown has caused chaos for air passengers, with industry analysts estimating that more than 145,000 travelers could be affected. Trains servicing Heathrow have also been impacted, adding to the travel disruptions.

Investigation ongoing

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, and while there is currently no evidence of foul play, officials have warned that the incident could lead to prolonged disruptions for both residents and travelers.