Was it XR, Putin, MI5 or accidental? Electric substation fire turns off Heathrow auto passport gates

Heathrow fire at power sub-station - is it 1. an accident, 2. Russia 3. Extinction Rebellion or 4. MI5 to blame it on XR or Russia? or Western Secret Services? Starmer's role in Ukraine.

https://politicsthisweek.gn.apc.org/2025/03/not-the-bcfm-politics-show-presented-by-tony-gosling-232/

'Very old' transformer failed and started Heathrow substation fire, expert claims, as hundreds of thousands are left stranded... amid incredulity that small blaze caused global chaos

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By NICK FAGGE and MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER and DARREN BOYLE

Published: 14:17, 21 March 2025

An experienced electrical engineer today blamed the catastrophic failure of an 'oil-filled transformer' for the devastating fire that has shut down Heathrow Airport and embarrassed Britain on the world stage.

Tom Watters, who has worked on critical infrastructure around the world, told MailOnline the crucial substation powering Heathrow and west London contains 'very old' equipment and blamed a 'lack of investment' for the crisis.

The substation fire in Hayes involved 25,000 litres of cooling oil igniting, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

MailOnline can also reveal that a report for London Mayor Sadiq Khan in 2022 identified major problems with the electricity supply system in the Heathrow area.

It warned that the North Hyde substation, which exploded into flames last night, has been running at 106.2 per cent of capacity.

Electrical engineer Mr Watters, director of Sanguine Impact Investments, told MailOnline: 'An oil filled transformer has obviously failed and caused the massive fire.

'This looks like a very old transformer and it's surprising that such an old piece of critical equipment was still in service. I assume a lack of investment is the reason.

'The design of the substation while being ok is also very old style. Modern substations are normally enclosed using gas as the insulation'.

It came as Heathrow announced it would restart some flights later today, with priority for passengers who have been left stranded there.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14523119/firefighters-major-update-heathrow-airport-met-police-cause.html