A fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s Terminal One prompted the redirection of flights to the D Wing of the airport. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, was confirmed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN’s) Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah. The E54 Bridge, a critical access point within Terminal One, was the epicenter of the fire. Reports of smoke emerging from the bridge led to an immediate power shutdown in the E Wing as a precautionary measure.
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The Explainer learnt the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) team responded promptly, arriving on the scene within a minute of the initial smoke detection. Mrs. Obiageli Orah, in her statement, detailed the timeline of events. “At 05:29 hrs, smoke was detected billowing from the E54 Bridge, leading electrical engineers to immediately cut off power to the entire E Wing,” she said.
The ARFFS team’s rapid response, coupled with the quick actions of the electrical engineers, helped prevent the situation from worsening. Initial assessments suggest that an electrical fault may have sparked the fire. However, The Explainer gathered that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the exact cause. By 06:41 am, the fire was under control, and efforts are currently being made to clear the smoke from the building. As a result of the incident, all flight operations usually conducted in Terminal 1 have been rerouted to the D Wing. FAAN has also assured the public that more details will be provided about the situation.
