Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, has been closed until midnight tonight following a fire at an electrical substation in west London. The fire caused a significant power outage, leading to a massive disruption. Videos from the scene show a large explosion and thick black smoke, resulting in power cuts affecting 16,000 homes.
Passengers have been advised not to travel to the airport under any circumstances, as hundreds of flights have been cancelled and 120 planes diverted midair. This incident will impact several flights from Ireland, with some flights now being redirected to other airports.
Over 1,300 flights were scheduled to land and depart from Heathrow today, but the closure has disrupted plans for many travelers. Carlow football supporters, who were set to travel to London are among those affected, as many supporters had planned to travel to the game.
Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updated flight information.