What we know so far | Global News Avenue

Flights around the world were disturbed after Heathrow Airport closed due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation.

Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, said it was suffering “significant” interruptions after the North Hyde substation fire in Hayes, West London.

Tracking website Flightradar24 said more than 1,300 flights have been affected and passengers were told not to go to the airport until further notice.

That’s all we know so far.

Supply of Heathrow Airport in a fire at an electrical substation in west London caused a major power outage at the airport, prompting it to close.

It is not known what caused the substation fire, but the Nestles Avenues in Hayes, West London, was first called on Thursday at 23:23 GMT.

The London Fire Bridge (LFB) said the fire was under control before 06:28.

The substation is only one and a half miles from the airport.

Energy Minister Ed Miliband told the BBC Radio 4’s Plan Today plan that the backup generators at the substation “seems to have been phased out”.

Videos shared on social media show high fires overnight and smoke rolling in the smoke.

People living nearby are advised to close doors and windows to avoid inhalation and smoking. Several road closures have been in place.

Heathrow is a busy airport that engages in journeys and global trade, so whether there is a backup system in the event of a power outage is questioned.

The BBC learned that Heathrow does have backup power for its critical systems, but it takes time to start these alternative power supplies for the entire airport.

Sources said it was impossible to turn on the power immediately.

Even once the power is restarted, countless systems need to be restarted and checked to make sure they work properly and are stable.

LFB Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith said the fire involved a transformer equipped with 25,000 liters of cooling oil.

The fire was “very obvious and important”, he said.

Heathrow said in a statement that the airport will be closed until at least March 21 at 23:59, but it warned customers that they expect “significant disruption in the coming days”.

As airlines cancel and transfer flights, travel disruptions can affect many other airports.

Heathrow said, “When can electricity be reliably restored”.

The airport apologized for the interruption and advised passengers to contact their airline for more information.

Its hotline number is 020 8757 2700.

Flightradar24 said at least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow Airport would be affected on Friday, and when the closure was announced, there were about 120 affected aircraft.

The Heathrow Express Rail Services said it is reducing the service for half an hour to help passengers leave the terminal.

It says it does not accept passengers from Paddington Station.

In addition to passengers expecting to fly, thousands of homes in West London have also caused damage that have no power.

About 150 people were evacuated from the surrounding properties.

Energy supplier Scotland and Southern Power Network (SSEN) said more than 16,300 households lost power in the midst of the massive disruption caused by the fire.

It added: “We know that cutting the broad momentum has affected many customers around Hayes, Hornslow and the surrounding area.”

The UK National Grid also said it is “speed recovery of power”.

So far, power has been restored for 62,000 customers and 4,900 currently have no power.

Meanwhile, two nurseries and four schools in Hillingdon were closed today.

The Hillingdon Commission is assisting 12 people to be evacuated by hotel accommodation for emergency services.

The council has also been affected on Friday, the council warned.

The board website said the rejection of the collection team plans to arrive on Saturday’s missed streets, provided emergency services can access and allow the area.

Bus routes in the Sheilingen area were affected and transferred and cancelled. The M4 is closed between the third and fourth connections, and the four span roads are closed.

No injuries were reported in the fire.

The BBC learned that counterterrorism officials from Metropolitan Police will be involved in the investigation of the substation fire.

This is not because of any direct evidence to undermine the evidence, but because of their skill and the need to quickly rule out foul play.

Their participation is described by the source as “belts and braces” and “precautions.”

The London Fire Brigade said it is working closely with Metropolitan Police to investigate the cause of the fire.

At the same time, customers have been informed to stay away from the airport until further notice and contact their airline directly, and the flight has been cancelled and transferred to other airports.

All Virgin flights arriving and leaving flights from Heathrow Airport have been cancelled until noon on March 21, the airline said.

The U.S.-based airline airline told the BBC that “seven combined flights returned to their origins or other airports after the closure,” adding that additional flights to Heathrow have been cancelled.

The airline said it is working with customers to offer alternative travel options.

Gatwick Airport told the BBC it knows what is going on at Heathrow Airport and is “ready to support as needed”.

It said several Qantas aircraft in Australia have moved from London to Paris, and other flights may be affected.

British Airways warned of its services “significant impact”.

Amsterdam’s Schupshire Airport said it plans to travel 30 round trips to Heathrow, but so far, only half of the flights have been cancelled.

Cathay Pacific, a major Hong Kong airline, canceled all flights to London today.