LOC20:48
17:48 GMT
LONDON, March 21 (KUNA) -- Britain's Heathrow Airport said it had begun the process of reopening on Friday after a fire knocked out its power supply and shut Europe's busiest airport for the day, stranding thousands of passengers and causing travel turmoil worldwide.
Heathrow, the world's fifth-busiest airport, was forced to close after a huge fire engulfed a substation near the airport on Thursday night.
"Our teams have worked tirelessly since the incident to ensure a speedy recovery. Weآ’re now safely able to restart flights, prioritising repatriation and relocation of aircraft," the airport said in a statement.
The airport will be fully operating tomorrow Saturday.
Heathrow Airport was to be closed all day Friday because of a large fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it.
The airport is experiencing a "significant power outage" because of the fire, a statement from Heathrow said.
Fire broke late Thursday night.
"To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23:59 on 21 March," it added. (end)
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