Murtala Muhammed International Airport inferno not fully extinguished yet – FAAN

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Efforts to fully extinguish a fire that broke out at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos remained ongoing late Monday evening, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirming that responders are “working tirelessly” to contain the incident and prevent further spread.

In its latest update posted around 8:45 PM, FAAN described a “swift and coordinated response” involving intense deployment of firefighting vehicles, rescue equipment, and emergency personnel from multiple agencies.

The authority highlighted the “collective commitment and professionalism” of first responders and partners, commending their “courage, synergy, and rapid intervention” as teams continue battling the flames to safeguard lives and protect critical infrastructure.

The fire, which erupted earlier in the afternoon in sections of the older Terminal 1 building, originated from the IT server room on the third floor near the E-wing of the departure lounge, according to preliminary reports from responders.

Thick black smoke billowed from the structure, visible across the airport vicinity, leading to an immediate evacuation of passengers and staff, temporary closure of the Lagos airspace, and diversions of inbound flights to alternatives like Abuja and Malabo.

While FAAN and collaborating agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, have brought the blaze “largely under control” in key areas like the departure hall, full extinguishment has not yet been achieved.

Responders are maintaining close monitoring to prevent re-ignition or extension to adjoining sections, with a crane deployed earlier to aid in rescuing personnel from the control tower area.

All 14 individuals initially trapped were safely evacuated and rescued alive, with no fatalities recorded.

However, six people-three male and three female, sustained injuries and are in stable condition, receiving treatment at the FAAN Clinic.

No one remains trapped, and operations focus now on containment, recovery, and eventual restoration of normal functions.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is working to establish a temporary control tower setup to facilitate a safe resumption of operations as soon as practicable.

FAAN reiterated its commitment to providing verified updates as the situation develops, urging the public and travelers to follow official channels for the latest information.