London's Heathrow Airport to reopen after fire causes power outage

London Heathrow Airport announced a reopening on Friday after a fire caused a "significant" power outage, in an incident being investigated by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command. 

Authorities said, "While there is currently no indication of foul play, we retain an open mind at this time." The airport earlier told Fox News that it was "experiencing a significant power outage across the airport due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation" and that it would be closed for the entire day.

"Our teams have worked tirelessly since the incident to ensure a speedy recovery. We’re pleased to say we’re now safely able to begin some flights later today. Our first flights will be repatriation flights and relocating aircraft," a spokesperson for the airport later said.

"Please do not travel to the airport unless your airline has advised you to do so. We will now work with the airlines on repatriating the passengers who were diverted to other airports in Europe," the spokesperson added. "We hope to run a full operation tomorrow and will provide further information shortly."

The Metropolitan Police said "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 inquiries."

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The airport was anticipating up to 291,000 passengers on a total of 1,351 flights on Friday, Reuters reported. Passengers have been told to contact their individual airline for further details on new flight times.

Airlines began issuing statements on Friday addressing how the closure would impact their passengers and flights to and from the airport.

British Airways said the disruption "will clearly have a significant impact on our operation and our customers and we're working as quickly as possible to update them on their travel options for the next 24 hours and beyond."

A United Airlines spokesperson told FOX Business that "Following the closure, seven United flights returned to their origin or to other airports, and Friday flights to London Heathrow have been canceled.  

"We are continuing to work with our customers to offer alternative travel options," the spokesperson added.

A Lufthansa Group Airlines spokesperson said "all Lufthansa Group Airlines flights to and from London Heathrow on Friday, 21 March 2025 have to be canceled."

"Passengers affected by the flight cancellations have been rebooked on other flights and informed about it," the company told FOX Business.

The London Fire Brigade said approximately 70 firefighters and 10 engines responded to the fire just before midnight on Thursday at the electrical substation on Nestles Avenue in Hayes.

"This was a very visible and significant incident, and our firefighters worked tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible," Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said in a statement, adding that the fire was under control by 6:30 a.m.

Though there were no injuries, the brigade said 29 people were evacuated from neighboring properties and 150 others were evacuated from a 200-meter perimeter that was established out of precaution. 

The fire brigade will remain at the scene throughout the day to assist the National Grid, which owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales.

Secretary of State for Transport of the United Kingdom Heidi Alexander said she is aware of "the fast-moving situation" at Heathrow and is receiving updates on progress.

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"I'm grateful to emergency services responding to the fire, and National Grid for working to restore power to the airport and homes," Alexander wrote on X. 

Fox News' Simon Owen, Greg Norman and Fox Business' Chrys Mulligan contributed to this report.