A colossal fireball erupted over west London on Sunday evening, causing significant travel disruption for Heathrow Airport passengers and closing major rail lines.
Fireball Lights Up West London Sky
The dramatic incident occurred at a recycling centre on Johnson Street in Southall. Footage shared widely on social media captured the moment a huge fireball leapt into the sky shortly after 5:30pm, visible for miles around against the evening backdrop.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed it was first alerted at 17:33 and deployed a substantial response. Eight fire engines and approximately 60 firefighters from stations including Southall, Hayes, and Feltham were mobilised to tackle the intense blaze.
Travel Chaos for Heathrow Passengers
The fire's aftermath caused severe travel disruption. As a precaution due to smoke drifting across the tracks, services on the Heathrow Express and the Great Western Main Line were suspended.
A spokesperson for Heathrow Express stated: “Due to a significant incident outside of our control, there are currently no Heathrow Express services running to the airport.” National Rail warned passengers to expect major disruption between London Paddington, Heathrow Terminals, and Reading.
Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control by 8:35pm, after three hours of efforts. The London Fire Brigade noted that the partial closure of the nearby rail lines remained in place as crews continued to work at the scene.
Cause of Blaze Remains Unknown
The exact cause of the explosion and subsequent fire is not yet known. Investigations will likely commence once the site is fully safe. The incident highlights the potential for industrial fires to cause widespread knock-on effects, particularly near critical transport infrastructure like Heathrow Airport.
Local residents and commuters faced extended journey times as rail services were halted. The event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of London's interconnected transport network to localised major incidents.
