What's happened
A grass fire near Scrubs Lane and a separate blaze on Heathrow’s airfield have caused an electricity failure, blocking all lines between Paddington and Heathrow. National Rail warns of major disruption through the evening; the Piccadilly line and Heathrow Express are affected. Fire crews are on scene and the airport advises passengers to allow extra time.
What's behind the headline?
Why this matters now
- Fire near Scrubs Lane has caused an electricity supply failure, halting all Paddington–Heathrow services.
- TfL and rail operators report widespread delays, with the Piccadilly line and Heathrow Express affected.
- The incident compounds a week of heat-related risk and past runway closures, signaling persistent disruption to travel hubs.
What to expect
- Service restoration will depend on clearing the line and stabilising the electrical supply; passengers should monitor advisories for updates.
- Holiday travel and business schedules may be affected as crews work to re-open corridors to Heathrow.
How we got here
The disruption follows a day of grass fires near Heathrow’s southern runway. Earlier, a runway closure and smoke prompted flight diversions. Fire severity remains high in southeast England, with wildfire risk continuing as weather cools.
Our analysis
BBC Business reports the disruption and expected duration, with details from National Rail and London Fire Brigade. Independent and The Guardian corroborate the scale of line blockages and affected services; all cite fire crews at Scrubs Lane and Heathrow airfield incidents.
Go deeper
- When will rail services resume between Paddington and Heathrow?
- How many flights have been diverted or delayed due to the airfield fire?
- What steps are Heathrow travelers advised to take for their journeys tonight?
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