Counter-terror police investigating Heathrow fire
BBC NEWS
27 minutes ago
21/03/25
A man and a women with suitcases piled on trolleys outside Terminal 4. The woman is looking at a phone and the man is sitting down on a wallGetty Images
Heathrow Airport said people should “not travel to the airport unless your airline has advised you to”
Counter-terror officers from the Metropolitan Police are leading the investigation into a major fire that has closed Heathrow Airport.
The force said there was “currently no indication of foul play” but officers were retaining an “open mind at this time” into the cause of the blaze.
Flights were cancelled, people evacuated from their homes and local schools shut after two explosions and a fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, west London on Thursday night.
The airport previously warned it would be closed for the whole of Friday, but now says it is “able to begin some flights later today”, although people should “not travel to the airport unless your airline has advised you to”.
A spokesperson added the first flights would focus on “repatriating the passengers who were diverted to other airports in Europe… and relocating aircraft”, with plans “to run a full operation tomorrow”.
Follow live updates: Major flight disruption expected as Heathrow closes
A Met spokesperson said its Counter Terrorism Command was leading the investigation due to “the location of the substation and the impact this incident has had on critical national infrastructure”.
They added the command has the “specialist resources and capabilities” to progress the investigation “at pace to minimise disruption and identify the cause”.
Emergency services were first called to the scene at 23:20 GMT. Video shared on social media showed tall flames and smoke billowing from the substation overnight.
London Fire Brigade (LFB), which is also taking part in the investigation, said the fire involved a transformer containing 25,000 litres (5,500 gallons) of cooling fluid, that had been set alight.