Passengers traveling to Heathrow Airport were met with significant delays early this morning following a vehicle fire inside one of the airport's tunnels, which connects Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The incident occurred shortly before 3 AM on March 10, 2025, triggering immediate emergency responses.
According to reports, an electric car caught fire inside the tunnel, forcing National Highways to shut down the M4 southbound between junctions 4 and 4A. The closure resulted in long tailbacks extending onto surrounding roadways as travelers rushed to reach the airport.
"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. Latest updates can be found on Heathrow.com and our social media channels. We apologise for the disruption caused," stated a spokesperson for Heathrow Airport.
The London Fire Brigade responded quickly, deploying two fire engines to manage the fire. They reported being called just before 3 AM and had the blaze under control by 3:45 AM. "We sent two fire engines to the scene but once the fire was extinguished, the car was completely destroyed. London Ambulance were called to the scene but there are no reports of any injuries. We left the scene at 4:30 AM," said a representative from the fire brigade.
Despite the efficient response, the incident has had cascading effects on air travel. Passengers planning to fly from Heathrow encountered rushed conditions and lengthy wait times. Many took to social media to share their advice, with one user recommending taking the express train to avoid the road delays, stating, "We went to T5 and got the express to T3. Very easy and no time delay at all. Hope this helps others!"
Others echoed concerns about travel times, describing the situation as chaotic. "Allow more time. It’s complete chaos on all surrounding roads," mentioned another passenger on the platform. The local bus services were also under strain, with some buses unable to reach the airport due to the fire-related diversions.
Emergency services had reported significant disruption to traffic flow around Heathrow following the fire, which was classified as particularly serious due to its location. The M4 roadway is the main artery for access to the airport, with thousands depending on it daily for transit to their flights.
Passengers were urged to remain vigilant and prepared for delays as airport officials continued to monitor the situation closely. The fire, which was reported to have originated from the electric vehicle, raises questions about safety measures and protocols concerning electric car fires within enclosed spaces.
Heathrow Airport management confirmed the affected tunnel has since reopened, but they warned the repercussions of the incident could take the rest of the day to resolve fully. Road access had been partially restricted, and the airport continues to anticipate more traffic than usual as backups return to normal.
This incident reminds users of the importance of safety and the unforeseen complications vehicle fires can cause, especially at high-traffic locations like airports. Meanwhile, passengers who had been caught up were advised to keep checking the official sources for up-to-date information on any travel disruptions as the situation continued to develop.
Overall, immediate action from the London Fire Brigade and National Highways prevented any injuries but caused significant travel disruption during peak airport hours. Passengers must factor these kinds of incidents when planning their journeys, particularly to one of the busiest airports in Europe.
Travelers can expect delays throughout the day as the ramifications of this morning's events shake out. Reports throughout the morning have indicated steady traffic as road conditions slowly return to normal, albeit with extended journeys expected as congestion persists.