Heathrow Airport is experiencing delays and travel chaos this morning after an electric car exploded and erupted into flames.
An electric car was seen engulfed in flames inside an airport tunnel, which connects Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
The M4 southbound between junctions 4 and 4a was closed because of the incident, triggering lengthy delays for those trying to fly.
Around 3am this morning, emergency services were called to the scene to fight the fire.
The car was completely destroyed, however no injuries were reported. Flights are still being delayed.
A spokesman for Heathrow Airport gave travellers an update, writing on X: “Due to an earlier vehicle fire, road access to Terminals 2 and 3 is partially restricted.
"Passengers are advised to leave more time travelling to the airport and use public transport where possible. We apologise for the disruption caused”.
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "We were called just before 3am to an electric vehicle fire inside the east ramp. We sent two fire engines to the scene but once the fire was extinguished the car was completely destroyed.”
MORE LIKE THIS:
"The fire was under control by 3.45am. London Ambulance were called to the scene but there are no reports of any injuries. We left the scene at 4.30am."
There have been reports of people waiting sat on planes and travelers are experiencing long tailbacks on the roads in and around the airport.
Some bus companies were forced to delay routes, with Carousel Buses, High Wycombe's local bus company, writing on X: "Due to fire Heathrow Airport tunnel is being closed. Our service 102 to Heathrow Central bus station will be terminating at Stockley Park road bus stop. Sorry for any inconvenience caused."
Heathrow -which is Britain’s busiest airport and one of the busiest in world- revealed last month that their pre-tax profits for 2024 reached £917 million, up from £701 million in 2023.
However, the airport also saw a fall in revenues by 3.5% to £3.56bn, and underlying earnings fell 8.7% down to £2.04bn.
Heathrow claims this is due to lower airline charges imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Last month, chancellor Rachel Reeves backed its expansion plans, leading the airport to announce more detailed plans would be presented to the Government this summer.
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: "2024 underscores why Heathrow is the UK's gateway to growth. Our colleagues welcomed a record number of passengers with good service, cargo volumes increased 10% boosting British trade, and we invested over £1 billion to improve facilities and boost resilience which creates more value for customers at Britain's front door."
Find Out More...
An electric car was seen engulfed in flames inside an airport tunnel, which connects Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
The M4 southbound between junctions 4 and 4a was closed because of the incident, triggering lengthy delays for those trying to fly.
Around 3am this morning, emergency services were called to the scene to fight the fire.
The car was completely destroyed, however no injuries were reported. Flights are still being delayed.
A spokesman for Heathrow Airport gave travellers an update, writing on X: “Due to an earlier vehicle fire, road access to Terminals 2 and 3 is partially restricted.
"Passengers are advised to leave more time travelling to the airport and use public transport where possible. We apologise for the disruption caused”.
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "We were called just before 3am to an electric vehicle fire inside the east ramp. We sent two fire engines to the scene but once the fire was extinguished the car was completely destroyed.”
MORE LIKE THIS:
- Major changes announced across UK airports as drivers face new prices - 'Bridge the gap'
- Rachel Reeves's Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton expansions branded 'desperate' as she bids to revive economy
- 'Ran out of ideas!' Rachel Reeves blasted for 'backing third' Heathrow runway: 'Not going to create growth!'
"The fire was under control by 3.45am. London Ambulance were called to the scene but there are no reports of any injuries. We left the scene at 4.30am."
There have been reports of people waiting sat on planes and travelers are experiencing long tailbacks on the roads in and around the airport.
Some bus companies were forced to delay routes, with Carousel Buses, High Wycombe's local bus company, writing on X: "Due to fire Heathrow Airport tunnel is being closed. Our service 102 to Heathrow Central bus station will be terminating at Stockley Park road bus stop. Sorry for any inconvenience caused."
Heathrow -which is Britain’s busiest airport and one of the busiest in world- revealed last month that their pre-tax profits for 2024 reached £917 million, up from £701 million in 2023.
However, the airport also saw a fall in revenues by 3.5% to £3.56bn, and underlying earnings fell 8.7% down to £2.04bn.
Heathrow claims this is due to lower airline charges imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Last month, chancellor Rachel Reeves backed its expansion plans, leading the airport to announce more detailed plans would be presented to the Government this summer.
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: "2024 underscores why Heathrow is the UK's gateway to growth. Our colleagues welcomed a record number of passengers with good service, cargo volumes increased 10% boosting British trade, and we invested over £1 billion to improve facilities and boost resilience which creates more value for customers at Britain's front door."
Find Out More...