Police have declared a major incident in Hayes following a huge explosion at an electrical substation on Nestles Avenue. The blast occurred around 11:30pm on Friday, igniting a large fire at a nearby new building construction site.
Emergency services launched a full-scale response immediately, deploying ten fire engines and specialist units to combat the intense blaze. Hundreds of homes have experienced power outages as electricity cuts spread throughout the area.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) sent a High Volume Pump (HVP) to supply vast amounts of water to fight the fierce fire. Two Bulk Foam Units were also deployed to tackle the complex and escalating situation. Fire crews established rendezvous points at North Hyde Gardens and the junction of North Hyde Road and Station Road to coordinate the large-scale operation.
Approximately 20 residents were evacuated from homes near the site for safety reasons, while a 100-metre cordon remains in place as a precaution. Multiple road closures are disrupting local traffic, with bus routes rerouted until the incident is under control.
A fire service spokesperson said, “This is a dynamic and ongoing incident. Emergency crews are working hard to bring the fire under control. We ask the public to stay away from the area for their safety and to allow crews full access.”
The cause of the explosion is currently unknown. Firefighters and police will conduct a full investigation once the fire is extinguished and the site is safe to access. No injuries have been reported so far.
An LFB spokesman added, “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a fire at an electrical substation on Nestles Avenue in Hayes. Around 20 people were evacuated, and a 100-metre cordon was set up as a precaution. The brigade has taken nearly 200 emergency calls since the first report at 11:23pm. Crews from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, Southall, and nearby stations responded immediately. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
