HAYES, ENGLAND — Heathrow Airport don shut down until at least midnight after major fire wey happen for electrical substation for west London.
Dis emergency cause big power outage wey affect the airport operations. British Airways don announce say dem go no operate any flight from Heathrow “until further notice,” as thousands of passengers dey stranded.
Heathrow wey be Europe busiest airport, wey suppose accommodate about 291,000 passengers and over 1,330 scheduled flights today, don face serious disruption. One of the affected passengers, Aisha Patel, wey dey travel to India, talk say she no fit explain how disappointed she dey.
“My papa birthday party dey for Saturday, and I no fit attend anymore,” she talk. Fire crews dey respond to the blaze, but no clear time wey power go return to normal.
Emergency services deploy 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines to manage the inferno. At least 150 residents don evacuate, while plenty houses nearby dey without light. London Fire Brigade spokesperson, Pat Goulbourne, reassure the public say dem dey do everything to control the fire.
Simon Calder, aviation expert, mention say this na the first time Heathrow don completely close since 2010. “Dis day don dey busy, and the airport don shut down for emergency,” he say.
Passengers wey still dey try go London Heathrow don dey face cancellations, including Ryanair and easyJet, wey don announce additional flights as response to the situation. Ryanair don organize extra flights from Dublin to Stansted to help passengers wey dey affected.
Also, British Airways passengers dey express frustration over the lack of information regarding their travel plans. Maria La Chica, wey supposed travel from Heathrow to Washington DC, say she dey lose almost £1,500 for the delay.
“I was so excited about my trip. I was really looking forward to watching my favorite ice hockey team,” she lamented. The possible delays don disrupt many travel plans as people approach long-awaited celebrations or business trips.
As the chaos unfold, London and Dublin airports also dey feel the heat as connections between both cities don cancel over the day due to the Heathrow airport closure. “All flights scheduled between Dublin and Heathrow today don cancel,” Graeme McQueen from Dublin Airport Authority talk.
London Fire Brigade don ask residents for Hayes to keep their windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke wey dey come out from the fire, while emergency services continue dey on ground to tackle the situation.
Energy Minister Ed Miliband, wey talk on this issue, confirm say foul play no dey suspected for the fire. “Dis na serious incident, but we go learn lessons from am,” he promised.
As of now, Heathrow don announce say dem go update the public as soon as dem have more information, as dem continue to manage the outbreak of the fire. Passengers don advised to check their flight status before going to the airport to avoid unnecessary trips.
Emergency responders continue to work diligently to restore order and keep the public informed about developments surrounding this emergency situation.
