Heathrow rail links disrupted by grass fire near Paddington

A grass fire near Scrubs Lane in North Kensington has caused major disruption to rail services connecting London Paddington to Heathrow Airport and Reading. The blaze, which began shortly after 16:00 BST on Saturday, resulted in an electricity supply failure that blocked all lines between Paddington and Heathrow terminals, as well as services to Reading.

National Rail and various transport operators reported significant cancellations and delays. The Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line services were suspended or partially suspended between Paddington and the airport, while Great Western Railway services to Reading were also affected. Passengers were advised to use the Piccadilly line or local buses, though the Piccadilly line also experienced delays.

The London Fire Brigade deployed six fire engines and approximately 40 crew members to tackle the blaze. This incident follows an earlier grass fire on Heathrow's southern runway on the same day, which caused runway closures and flight diversions. The Met Office's Fire Severity Index currently lists fire severity as “exceptional” in some parts of London, including the Heathrow area.