LONDON, United Kingdom — Counter-terror police on Friday launched a probe into an electricity substation fire that shut down Heathrow airport causing travel chaos for passengers around the world
Kingdom — Counter-terror police on Friday launched a probe into an electricity substation fire that shut down Heathrow airport causing travel chaos for passengers around the world and the cancellation or diversion of hundreds of flights from Europe’s busiest air hub.
Heathrow plies routes to around 80 countries and some 1,350 flights had been due to land or take off from the airport’s five terminals on Friday, according to the online flight tracking website Flightradar24.
Some 230,000 passengers a day and 83 million a year use Heathrow, making it one of the world’s busiest airports.
London’s Metropolitan Police said the force’s Counter Terrorism Command was leading enquiries given the “impact this incident has had on critical national infrastructure.”
“While there is currently no indication of foul play we retain an open mind at this time,” a spokesman added.
Firefighters were called to the “highly visible” blaze at the substation shortly after 2320 GMT on Thursday and around 70 were sent to battle the fire, which was brought under control by 0800 GMT.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband promised that the government would do all it could to restore power to Heathrow quickly, as questions were raised about the airport’s “resilience.”
Electricity distribution network National Grid said around 1400 GMT that power had been partially restored to Heathrow as well as to local residents affected.
