Connect with us

Published

on

Heathrow Airport is to remain shut until midnight after a large fire at a nearby electricity substation, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.

Tracking site Flightradar24 estimates 1,357 flights would be affected (679 into and 678 out of Heathrow) today, including around 120 which were already in the air this morning before the shutdown.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News “it was too early to know” what caused the “catastrophic fire”.

Follow live updates on Heathrow closure

Passengers have been warned to stay away from the airport and all trains to Heathrow have been suspended.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Substation fire near Heathrow Airport

“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 23h59 on 21 March 2025,” Heathrow said in a statement.

“We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.”

Police direct traffic outside Terminal 5 at the Heathrow International Airport.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Police directing traffic away from Heathrow’s Terminal 5. Pic: Reuters

Airplanes remain parked on the tarmac at Heathrow International Airport.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
It is estimated up to 1,357 flights could be affected. Pic: Reuters

Airplanes remain parked on the tarmac at Heathrow International Airport.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Airplanes stuck at terminal gates. Pic: Reuters

Planes usually begin landing and taking off at around 5am after the regular overnight quiet period.

Around 120 flights were bound for Heathrow when the airport announced it would be closing for the day. Some will have turned back to the airport they departed from. But others were already crossing the Atlantic and have been diverted to airports in Europe.

Data from Flightradar24 shows Amsterdam has taken the most diversions at seven, while Gatwick, Frankfurt and Shannon have all taken six flights each.

Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports and had a record 83.9 million passengers last year, with a plane landing or taking off around every 45 seconds.

Flight delayed or cancelled? What are your rights?

Stranded passengers

Flightradar24 estimates that means there are about 220,000 passengers using the hub every day.

Its total closure is set to have knock-on effects on airline operations around the world for several days to come.

Matt, who is waiting at Canada’s Vancouver International Airport, told Sky News that British Airways “have been great” and they had been rebooked for a flight on Saturday. “Fingers crossed Heathrow is open!” he added.

But Raman who is stuck in Dubai said: “Flight keeps getting delayed – just seems crazy that BA won’t cancel it considering Heathrow is closed anyway. Zero comms from BA.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘It’s all dark here, mate’: Fire cuts Heathrow power

British Airways, the biggest carrier at Heathrow, reiterated that customers should not go to the airport until further notice.

A statement said: “This 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.”

Gatwick Airport said in a statement that it is “supporting by accepting diverted flights as required” and that it is operating “as normal today”.

Meanwhile Ryanair has launched what it is calling eight “rescue flights” for passengers affected by the Heathrow closure.

SHARE WITH SKY NEWS

You can share your story, pictures or video with us using our app, private messaging or email.

:: Your Report on Sky News apps

:: WhatsApp

:: Email

By sending us your video footage/ photographs/ audio you agree we can broadcast, publish and edit the material.

16,000 homes without power

The fire that caused the power outage is at a substation in Hayes, about 1.5 miles to the north of the airport, and an estimated 16,000 homes nearby are also without electricity.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the blaze was now under control and, while there have been no casualties, crews evacuated 29 people from neighbouring properties.

Drone footage shows the fire blazing at the substation in Hayes, west London
Image:
Drone footage shows the fire at the substation in Hayes, west London

The fire at Hayes electrical substation.
Pic:London Fire Brigade/PA
Image:
Fire crews attended the blaze overnight. Pic:London Fire Brigade/PA

Smoke rises from a fire at the North Hyde Electricity Substation.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
In the morning, smoke continued to rise from the substation. Pic: Reuters

Firefighters at the North Hyde electrical substation which caught fire. More than 1,300 flights to and from Heathrow Airport will be disrupted on Friday due to the closure of the airport following the fire. Picture date: Friday March 21, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story FIRE Hayes. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Image:
Fire crews said the blaze was now under control. Pic: PA

Earlier pictures from the scene – on Nestles Avenue – showed large flames and plumes of thick black smoke.

LFB said 10 engines and around 70 firefighters had been working to extinguish the blaze – with the first 999 call received at 11.23pm on Thursday.

It said a transformer within the North Hyde substation had caught alight but the cause is so far unknown.

A National Grid spokesperson said they “working at speed to restore power supplies as quickly as possible” after the fire damaged equipment.

Emergency services at the cordon near North Hyde substation in Hayes. Pic: PA
Image:
Emergency services at the cordon near North Hyde substation in Hayes. Pic: PA

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

Backup generator also failed

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News there was a backup generator but it was also affected by what he called a “catastrophic fire”.

He described the situation as “unusual and unprecedented” adding it was “too early to know” what caused the substation blaze.

Fire was ‘significant incident’

LFB Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said it was a “significant incident” but crews “successfully contained the fire and prevented further spread”.

“While power has been restored to some properties, we continue to work closely with our partners to minimise disruption,” he added. Local residents have been told to keep their windows and doors closed.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said shortly after midnight that a “widespread power cut” was affecting Hayes, Hounslow and surrounding areas.

A graphic on the company’s website suggested around 16,000 homes were affected.

Continue Reading

Business

Health and beauty chain Bodycare in race to avert collapse

Published

on

By

Health and beauty chain Bodycare in race to avert collapse

A health and beauty retailer founded on a Lancashire market stall more than half a century ago is facing collapse amid a race to find a rescue deal.

Sky News has learnt that Bodycare, which employs about 1,500 people, could fall into administration as soon as next week unless a buyer is found.

City sources said that Interpath, the advisory firm which has been working with Bodycare and its owners for several months, was continuing to explore options for the business.

Money latest: Three items drive food price surge

The company is owned by Baaj Capital, a family office run by Jas Singh.

Its other investments have included In The Style, which underwent a pre-pack administration earlier this year, and party products supplier Amscan International.

Baaj also attempted to take over The Original Factory Shop earlier this year before its offer was trumped by Modella Capital, another specialist retail investor.

More from Money

News of Bodycare’s travails comes just weeks after the retailer secured a £7m debt facility to buy it short-term breathing space.

The facility was secured against Bodycare’s retail inventory, according to a statement last month.

Bodycare was established by Graham and Margaret Blackledge in Skelmersdale in 1970, and sells branded products made by the likes of L’Oreal, Nivea and Elizabeth Arden.

The chain was profitable before the pandemic, but like many retailers lost millions of pounds in the financial years immediately after it hit.

Bodycare received financial support from the taxpayer in the form of a multimillion pound loan issued under one of the Treasury’s pandemic funding schemes.

The chain is run by retail veteran Tony Brown, who held senior roles at BHS and Beales, the now-defunct department store groups.

If Bodycare does fall into insolvency proceedings, it would be the latest high street chain to face collapse this year, amid intensifying complaints from the industry about tax increases announced in last autumn’s budget.

In recent weeks, River Island narrowly avoided administration after winning creditor approval for a restructuring involving store closures and job losses.

Later this week, the struggling discount giant Poundland will seek similar approval from the courts for a radical overhaul that will entail dozens of shop closures.

Bodycare could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, while Baaj has been contacted for comment and Interpath declined to comment.

Continue Reading

Business

Trump seeks to fire Fed governor, triggering fresh independence crisis

Published

on

By

Trump seeks to fire Fed governor, triggering fresh independence crisis

President Trump says he is firing a governor of the US central bank, a move seen as intensifying his bid for control over the setting of interest rates.

He posted a letter on his Truth Social platform on Monday night declaring that Lisa Cook – the first black woman to be appointed a Federal Reserve governor – was to be removed from her post on alleged mortgage fraud grounds.

She has responded, insisting he has no authority over her job and vowed to continue in the role, threatening a legal battle that could potentially go all the way to the Supreme Court.

Money latest: ‘RAC left me stranded on a busy motorway for four hours – then gave me £8’

The president‘s threat is significant as he has consistently demanded that the central bank cut interest rates to help boost the US economy. Growth has sagged since he returned to office on the back of US trade war gloom and hiring has slowed sharply in more recent months.

Mr Trump has previously directed his ire over rates at Jay Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, blaming him for the economic jitters and has repeatedly called for him to be fired.

The Fed, as it is known, has long been considered an institution independent from politics and question marks over that independence has previously shaken financial markets.

More from Money

The dollar was hit overnight while US futures indicate a negative opening for stock markets.

Mr Powell’s term is due to end next spring and the president is expected to soon nominate his replacement.

Fed chair Jay Powell is seen in discussion with board member Lisa Cook. Pic: AP
Image:
Fed chair Jay Powell is seen in discussion with board member Lisa Cook. Pic: AP

The Fed has 12 people with a right to vote on monetary policy, which includes the setting of interest rates and some regulatory powers.

Those 12 include the seven members of the Board of Governors, of which Ms Cook is one.

Replacing her would give Trump appointees a 4-3 majority on the board.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

July: Fed chair has ‘done a bad job’, says Trump

He has previously said he would only appoint Fed officials who support lower borrowing costs.

Ms Cook was appointed to the Fed’s board by then-president Joe Biden in 2022 and is the first black woman to serve as a governor.

Her nomination was opposed by most Senate Republicans at the time and was only approved, on a 50-50 vote, with the tie broken by then-vice president Kamala Harris.

It was alleged last week by a Trump appointed regulator that Ms Cook had claimed two primary residences in 2021 to get better mortgage terms.

Mortgage rates are often higher on second homes or those purchased to rent.

She responded to the president’s letter: “President Trump purported to fire me ‘for cause’ when no cause exists under the law, and he has no authority to do so,” she said in an emailed statement.

“I will not resign.”

Legal experts said it was for the White House to argue its case.

But Lev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school, said of the situation: “This is a procedurally invalid removal under the statute.

“This is not someone convicted of a crime. This is not someone who is not carrying out their duties.”

The Fed was yet to comment.

It has held off from interest rate cuts this year, largely over fears that the president’s trade war will result in a surge of inflation due to higher import duties being passed on in the world’s largest economy.

However, Mr Powell hinted last week that a cut could now be justified due to risks of rising unemployment.

Continue Reading

Business

New Look owners pick bankers to fashion sale process

Published

on

By

New Look owners pick bankers to fashion sale process

The owners of New Look, the high street fashion retailer, have picked bankers to oversee a strategic review which is expected to see the company change hands next year.

Sky News has learnt that Rothschild has been appointed in recent days to advise New Look and its shareholders on a potential exit.

The investment bank’s appointment follows a number of unsolicited approaches for the business from unidentified suitors.

New Look, which trades from almost 340 stores and employs about 10,000 people across the UK, is the country’s second-largest womenswear retailer in the 18-to-44 year-old age group.

It has been owned by its current shareholders – Alcentra and Brait – since October 2020.

In April, Sky News reported that the investors were injecting £30m of fresh equity into the business to aid its digital transformation.

Last year, the chain reported sales of £769m, with an improvement in gross margins and a statutory loss before tax of £21.7m – down from £88m the previous year.

More from Money

Like most high street retailers, it endured a torrid Covid-19 and engaged in a formal financial restructuring through a company voluntary arrangement.

In the autumn of 2023, it completed a £100m refinancing deal with Blazehill Capital and Wells Fargo.

A spokesperson for New Look declined to comment specifically on the appointment of Rothschild, but said: “Management are focused on running the business and executing the strategy for long-term growth.

“The company is performing well, with strong momentum driven by a successful summer trading period and notable online market share gains.”

Roughly 40% of New Look’s sales are now generated through digital channels, while recent data from the market intelligence firm Kantar showed it had moved into second place in the online 18-44 category, overtaking Shein and ASOS.

Continue Reading

Trending