Fire Closes Heathrow Airport Car Park
A vehicle fire erupted at Heathrow Airport this morning, causing significant disruptions in the area. The incident occurred in the multi-storey car park at Terminal 3, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
Emergency Response to the Fire
The London Fire Brigade dispatched four fire engines and approximately 25 firefighters to manage the situation. Eyewitness videos circulating on social media captured smoke billowing from the first floor of the car park.
As a precaution, the main tunnel accessing terminals 1, 2, and 3 was temporarily closed, although the airport maintained full operations throughout the incident.
Official Statements
A spokesperson from Heathrow confirmed that a small vehicle fire occurred earlier in the day. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished quickly, with no injuries reported. The affected car park has since reopened, and normal airport activities have resumed.
The airport spokesperson expressed regret for any inconveniences faced by passengers during this incident.
Impact on Transportation
- Buses traveling to Heathrow faced service interruptions. Arriva Herts and Essex announced that the 724 service would not serve the Greenways or Lees Road stops in either direction, rerouting to Terminal 5 instead.
- The M4 southbound was closed from Junction 4 due to the fire. Travelers were advised to use M4 Junction 3 or M25 Junction 14.
Additional Traffic Complications
In a related incident, a major crash occurred at Junction 14 on the M25, compounding travel delays. National Highways reported significant traffic congestion, with queues stretching for approximately one hour.
The crash involved a collision between a car and a lorry, which left one individual hospitalized and necessitated the closure of the road. Authorities expect the road will not reopen until later in the afternoon.
