Heathrow closure latest: Counter-terrorism police leading investigation into 'unprecedented' fire that shut airport

Sky News

21-03-2025

12:20:01
How does today's air traffic compare to a normal Friday?
You'd expect to see around 200 flights in the air bound for Heathrow at 7.45am on a Friday, but tracking maps from this morning show a completely different story.
Use the slider below to compare last Friday's Flightradar24 map to today's...
12:10:01
Heathrow disruption in numbers
With stories piling in from all over the world of those affected, a burning substation and an empty airport - let's break down the chaos into some key numbers:
An estimated 1,350 flights have been affected by the airport's closure
This is as many as 290,000 passengers, according to an aviation analytics firm
67,000 homes were without power, with 5,000 still affected
The estimated cost could be between £20m-£30m, a travel consultant has told us
Around 70 firefighters were dispatched to the fire itself
There were 120 planes in the air due to land at Heathrow when the closure was announced
25,000 litres of cooling liquid were "fully alight" in the initial fire
29 people were evacuated from neighbouring properties
And 10% of the fire remains ablaze
The London Fire Brigade received 212 calls about the fire
12:00:01
Your stories: 'Panic on our plane as it U-turned with no explanation'
Panic was "kicking in" on board Faisal Hamid's flight from Dubai when it started performing a U-turn with "no explanation".
"Then the captain announced the power cut and said that we were going back to Dubai," the British expat said.
He and his two children, who are one and six, spent seven hours on the flight which should have taken them back to the UK for the first time since summer.
"Devastating. No idea when they will reschedule the flight but to be fair a hotel was arranged very quickly and all meals included."
Over in Delhi, India, Tara made a 10-hour journey from Punjab for her flight to Heathrow, only to be told three hours after its scheduled departure time that the journey was cancelled.
She said she was stuck in India until Tuesday because no additional flights had been put on to UK airports.
"I was told I needed to rebook another flight myself as the cancellation was not the airline's fault and everything over the weekend was already booked. Fuming to say the least."
Meanwhile, David Cozens said Singapore Airlines were "trying to wash their hands of responsibility" over a flight diverted to Frankfurt, Germany.
He claims he was told to "sort your own way home" before the airline eventually started looking into bus replacements.
11:55:36
Counter-terrorism police leading investigation into fire, Met says
We've just had this update from the Met Police on the investigation into the cause of the fire, confirming counter-terrorism police are leading inquiries:
"We are working with the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire which remains under investigation. While there is currently no indication of foul play we retain an open mind at this time.
"Given the location of the substation and the impact this incident has had on critical national infrastructure, the Met's Counter Terrorism Command is now leading enquiries.
"This is due to the specialist resources and capabilities within that command that can assist in progressing this investigation at pace to minimise disruption and identify the cause."
11:50:01
Acrid smoke fills the air at substation - with residents wearing masks
By Alice Porter, Sky correspondent at North Hyde substation
The smell of smoke is the first thing that hits you as you get close to North Hyde electricity substation. It's acrid and it clings to your clothes and hair.
While London Fire Brigade say the blaze is under control, smoke continues to permeate the air with many residents in Hayes wearing masks over their faces to protect themselves.
Local MP John McDonnell says he's "worried" about the air quality, particularly given this is one of the most polluted areas of the country.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne from the London Fire Brigade said: "We strongly advise local residents to keep their windows and doors closed, as some smoke will remain for a number of hours today.
"Scientific advisers will also be on-site this morning to conduct further assessments and monitor the air quality."
There's a police cordon by Nestles Avenue, round the corner from the substation and just under three miles from Heathrow. Many residents in Hayes will work at the airport, but not today. 150 homes have been evacuated and 5,000 are without power.
Normally it is the sky which is particularly busy in this part of west London with planes usually landing and taking off every few minutes. Instead, an eerie silence as the UK's busiest airport remains closed.
11:38:23
Counter-terrorism police investigating cause of fire, Sky News understands
Sky News understands counter-terrorism police are involved in the investigation into the fire at the North Hyde substation.
It's understood it is one of a number of departments that are part of the inquiry, which is normal practice for an incident of this scale.
The engagement of counter-terrorism officers does not confirm any indication of foul play.
11:30:01
Your stories: Traveller accuses hotels near Heathrow of tripling room prices
A traveller has accused hotels of tripling their prices in response to Heathrow's closure.
Louis, who was due to fly home to Dublin tomorrow, said nearby hotels were "profiting off of people's misfortune".
Last night, the 28-year-old stayed at a hotel "500 metres" from terminals two and three, which cost him £90. This morning, he said the same room was £280 on Booking.com.
"They've actually doubled, if not, in some cases, tripled the prices of the rooms based on what's going on, which is absolutely absurd.
"They're profiting off of people's misfortunes in this. I don't know how that's allowed."
Meanwhile, two women who were expecting to fly to India tomorrow say they "cannot explain" their disappointment.
Anupama said she would be missing her father's retirement party.
She and Ridihka, who met waiting for updates outside Heathrow's terminal five, said they were both leaving on family holidays - Ridihka for five weeks, and Anupama for four weeks.
Asked how they felt about not being able to get on their flight to Delhi, Ridikha said: "Oh, we can't explain. We were excited to go to India to see our parents, family, and all that."
11:20:01
In pictures: Latest from airport and substation
These are the latest images from Heathrow and the burning substation.
At Heathrow, stranded passengers were left in the dark, carrying their luggage down unlit stars with lifts out of order.
Meanwhile, firefighters were seen shrouded in thick smoke at the substation.
11:10:01
Your stories: 'My 22-year-old daughter is stuck alone in Bangkok'
As we've been reporting, as many as 290,000 passengers could be affected by the fire.
Among them is Callum, who is stuck at Male International Airport in the Maldives.
"We haven't heard anything from BA, we're just stuck in the airport," he says.
"Our flight was at 11.40am. Over two hours late with no communication. If they had the common sense to cancel the flight we could at least get on with our day, but instead we are stuck in the airport."
Concerned mum Phillippa says her daughter is stranded in Bangkok, Thailand, after air authorities told her to leave the airport without any alternative accommodation.
The 22-year-old is travelling alone and has no way of knowing how to get home because she had "one email from the airline advising of the delay - that's it".