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Counter-terror police investigate Heathrow airport fire


Downing Street: ‘Questions to answer’ over Heathrow fire
12:05pm
Met: We retain an open mind about cause of the fire
11:12am
Starmer: I’m receiving regular updates on closure
10:49am
Disruption to continue ‘for the next few days’
4:47am
At least 1,351 flights set to be affected

Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the fire that has shut down Heathrow airport.

The Telegraph understands specialist detectives are on site at the North Hyde electrical substation after a blast there shortly before midnight.

The Metropolitan Police said there is “currently no indication of foul play” but said it would “retain an open mind” and that officers from Counter Terrorism Command would now lead the investigation because of “the impact this incident has had on critical infrastructure”.

The officers – also known as ‘SO15’ – will play a key role to try to establish whether or not any hostile agents were involved in triggering the blaze.

It comes as Downing Street said there were “questions to answer” over how a single fire was able to shut down the airport.

A No 10 spokesman said: “There are questions to answer and we will be asking those to ensure the scale of disruption does not happen again.”

At least 1,351 flights going to and from the airport will be impacted by the closure, with up to 291,000 passengers thought to be affected.

Inbound planes have been diverted to other airports, including Shannon in Ireland and Charles de Gaulle in Paris, with aviation experts saying the impact of disruption is “similar to 9/11”.

A Heathrow airport spokesman said the site will be closed all day and will not reopen until midnight tonight.
THE TELEGRAPH