Counter-terrorism police leading Heathrow fire investigation | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Heathrow Airport closure
• Power cut at electrical substation
• Counter-terrorism investigation
• Flight diversions and cancellations
• Backup power supply inadequacy
• Impact on passengers and cargo
• London Fire Brigade response
• Critical national infrastructure

Heathrow Airport Closure and Power Cut

• Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, was completely closed until midnight due to a "catastrophic fire" at a nearby electrical substation.
• The fire caused a major power cut, plunging corridors into darkness with only emergency lights operational.
• The Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism unit is leading the investigation due to the location of the substation and the incident's impact. While there's no current indication of foul play, they are keeping an open mind.

Flight Disruptions and Passenger Impact

• Inbound passengers are being diverted to other airports in the UK and worldwide. Some planes turned around mid-air and returned to their origin.
• Flight Radar 24 reported that the total closure affected more than 1,300 flights globally. 120 aircraft in the air had to divert.
• Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport. Airlines warn the disruption could last for several days.
• Lucy Adler, a passenger, was on a flight from Delhi that turned back mid-air after 9 hours and returned to Delhi. She managed to book an alternative flight via Zurich to Birmingham.
• Five flights destined for Heathrow landed in Glasgow. Passengers faced challenges and costs in arranging onward journeys. One couple spent £922 on flights to Gatwick to attend a wedding.

Fire Brigade Response and Substation Status

• The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received 212 calls about the fire at a high-voltage substation near Heathrow Airport.
• The fire involved a transformer with 25,000 liters of cooling oil, creating a major hazard due to live high-voltage equipment.
• The LFB declared a major incident at 00:42.
• As of the latest update, approximately 10% of the substation was still burning.
• 67,000 households were initially left without power; 5,000 homes remain without power.
• Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 have no power.

Questions Regarding Backup Systems and Infrastructure

• Questions are being raised about why Heathrow, a key part of the national UK infrastructure, did not have an adequate backup power supply.
• The incident highlights the importance of critical national infrastructure and the government's national security strategy.
• There will be "big questions" and "answers expected" as to why one fire at one power plant knocked out the entire airport.

Economic Impact and Cargo Disruption

• Heathrow is a major cargo hub, so the disruption will affect online orders and the logistics industry.
• The incident will have a "big impact on the UK economy" due to disruptions in passenger travel and cargo operations.

Heathrow's Significance

• Heathrow is the UK's biggest airport, with more than 83.9 million passengers in the previous year.
• It has the most international connections in the world, affecting travelers globally.

Conclusion

The catastrophic fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow Airport caused a complete shutdown, leading to widespread flight disruptions, passenger stranding, and economic consequences. The incident has raised serious questions about the adequacy of backup power systems at critical national infrastructure sites like Heathrow. The investigation and recovery efforts are ongoing, with potential long-term impacts on travel and the UK economy.