More than a hundred trains have been cancelled or delayed after a fire in an electrical substation near London Heathrow Airport left the terminals in darkness. About 150 homes in Hayes have been evacuated and nearly 5000 are without power. More than 1000 flights have been diverted.

London Fire Brigade said it has now brought the fire under control, and that 70 firefighters had been called to the scene.

The effects of the power cut have disrupted train services in west London. Elizabeth Line trains are not running between Hayes & Harlington and the airport, and Transport for London said: ‘Please do not travel to Heathrow Airport as it is expected to remain closed all day.’

Heathrow Express services have been halved to every 30 minutes, and although trains are carrying passengers out of the airport the operator is not allowing anyone to travel to the airport from London Paddington. However, Piccadilly Line trains are reported to be running, although again passengers have been warned not to travel to any airport terminal station.

An investigation has been started into the cause of the blaze in a transformer, which also affected back-up systems.

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