Fire Guts Terminal 1 as FAAN Orders Emergency Passenger Evacuation

Obafemi Fawibe03 mins
Fire Guts Terminal 1 as FAAN Orders Emergency Passenger Evacuation

LAGOS — The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed a major fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). The incident, which occurred early Monday evening, triggered the immediate suspension of operations and a frantic evacuation of the facility. FAAN officials verified that specialized firefighting units are currently battling the blaze to prevent it from reaching critical aviation fuel lines. Consequently, passengers and airport personnel have moved to secure zones outside the terminal as emergency sirens blared across the apron. While it is true that authorities have reported no fatalities yet, the structural damage to the terminal remains unassessed. This disruption adds fresh pressure to Nigeria’s primary aviation hub during a period of high international traffic.

The airport authority utilized the social media platform X to issue an urgent public safety notice following the initial ignition. FAAN stated that its internal firefighting team responded within minutes but required external assistance to maintain a containment perimeter. Furthermore, the agency has activated a comprehensive “Mutual Aid” arrangement to bolster the current response efforts on the ground. In a related development, reinforcements from the Lagos State Government and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc have arrived at the scene. Indeed, heavy-duty equipment from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is also supporting the state’s primary emergency responders.

Likewise, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has taken a lead role in managing the large crowd of displaced travelers. Similarly, security agencies have cordoned off the access roads leading to Terminal 1 to ensure unobstructed paths for water tankers. Granted, the cause of the fire remains unknown, yet technical experts have frequently warned about aging electrical installations. Notably, FAAN has assured the public that all necessary measures are in place to safeguard both lives and property. Above all, the evacuation process continues under a strict “Safety-First” protocol to prevent any secondary stampedes during the chaos.

Significantly, the closure of Terminal 1 will likely cause a massive ripple effect on international flight schedules throughout the week. Subsequently, airlines have begun advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the Ikeja-based airport complex. Although the newer terminals remain operational, the congestion at the remaining gates will test the facility’s peak capacity limits. Therefore, the Ministry of Aviation must conduct a transparent investigation once the specialized teams successfully extinguish the final embers.

Finally, the focus of the emergency teams shifts to preventing smoke inhalation injuries among the personnel still within the vicinity.

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