Metropolitan Police counter-terror officers are spearheading the inquiry into a severe fire that has led to the temporary closure of Heathrow Airport, though there is no current evidence to suggest malicious intent.
The incident caused significant upheaval with flight cancellations, evacuations, and school closures following two explosions and a fire at a Hayes substation on Thursday night.
The UK’s busiest airport has experienced substantial disruptions, with officials advising against all travel until further notice.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police highlighted the critical location of the substation and its impact on national infrastructure as reasons for the involvement of the Counter Terrorism Command, which possesses the necessary expertise to determine the fire’s cause swiftly.
The emergency services responded to the blaze around 23:20 GMT, with social media footage showing intense flames and smoke emanating from the site.
The London Fire Brigade, also investigating, reported that the fire involved a transformer with 25,000 litres of cooling fluid.
The aftermath saw thousands of local residents and the airport itself left without power. Despite efforts by the National Grid to restore power to most affected homes by early morning, approximately 4,900 households remained powerless.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 noted significant impacts on air travel, with over 1,300 flights to and from Heathrow disrupted on Friday.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the event as unprecedented and acknowledged the double failure of a substation and a backup generator.
The ongoing situation has sparked broader discussions about the resilience of UK infrastructure, with Ruth Cadbury, chair of the Commons Transport Committee, calling for a thorough examination of national preparedness and resilience.
The London Fire Brigade managed the fire, deploying ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters, bringing the blaze under control by early morning. Safety measures included a 200-meter cordon and advisories for local residents to keep windows closed due to lingering smoke.
With many residents displaced and seeking refuge in nearby accommodations like the Premier Inn, there has been some frustration over the lack of timely information regarding safety and next steps.
