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The interim report on the Heathrow Airport fire incident highlights a significant infrastructure vulnerability but stops short of identifying the precise cause of the blaze, leaving a key question unanswered. The fire, which broke out at the North Hyde electrical substation late on 20 March, led to an extensive power outage that impacted nearly 67,000 customers and forced a full-day shutdown of the UK’s busiest airport, affecting over 270,000 journeys globally.
Key findings from the report include:
- Incident Timeline: The fire began at 23:21 GMT on 20 March. Power to Heathrow was lost shortly after, and the airport officially closed at 01:11 on 21 March.
- Restoration Timeline: Power began returning by 06:25 using alternate substations, with full terminal supply back by 10:56. However, flights didn’t resume until after 18:00, following safety checks.
- System Vulnerability: Heathrow has backup systems, but these only support essential functions—not full operations. Switching power sources was delayed due to the airport’s complex systems.
- Root Cause: The exact trigger for the transformer fire remains unidentified. Two transformers were affected, but no evidence of foul play was found.
- Criticism and Accountability: Heathrow’s management has faced scrutiny for the duration of the shutdown, although they cited safety concerns in managing the switchover process.
The final report, expected by the end of June, is anticipated to offer a conclusive explanation. Both Heathrow and UK government officials have stressed the need for robust preventative measures to avoid a repeat incident.