Particle.news
Download on the App Store
13 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Heathrow Airport Restores Operations After Substation Fire Disrupts 200,000 Passengers

The UK government and Heathrow Airport have launched investigations into the power outage, revealing long-standing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

Members of the Fire Brigade attend the scene following a major fire at an electrical substation at Heathrow on March 21, 2025 in London.
Image

Overview

  • A fire at the North Hyde substation on March 21 caused a power outage that shut down Heathrow Airport for nearly a day, canceling over 1,300 flights and stranding around 200,000 passengers.
  • The fire involved a transformer containing 25,000 liters of cooling oil, creating a significant hazard and rendering the substation inoperable.
  • Heathrow was warned as early as 2014 about its reliance on limited power sources and the risks of single points of failure, which were not adequately addressed.
  • The UK government has ordered an investigation into energy resilience for critical infrastructure, with initial findings expected within six weeks, while Heathrow has launched an internal review led by Ruth Kelly.
  • The incident has reignited discussions about the need for infrastructure investment and resilience, including calls for Heathrow's expansion and improved back-up systems.