Airport fire outbreak: Three flights diverted as airspace reopens for operations

…Preliminary findings show fire originated from server room

Three international flights were diverted on Monday following the fire outbreak at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 1.

Olubunmi Kuku, the managing director and chief executive of FAAN, in a press conference on Monday, said British Airways, Lufthansa and Emirates all diverted flights as a result of the fire incident.

However, the airspace is now reopened for flight operations.

BusinessDay’s findings show that Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane departed the airport at exactly 7:26 pm on Monday.

Kuku said investigations are still ongoing to find out the reason for the fire outbreak, while all efforts were put into ensuring the fire was put out completely.

“What is important is to make sure that we were able to activate our emergency operating procedures and get everybody out of the building with no fatality due to all of the coordination done by the agencies,” she said.

FAAN provided a comprehensive update on the fire incident in a statement.

According to FAAN, the emergency response operations remained active, with coordinated firefighting, rescue, and safety teams continuing containment and recovery efforts.

Read also: Fire guts Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 as passengers flee

“A crane was successfully deployed to support rescue operations at the Control Tower, and all fourteen (14) persons initially trapped have been safely rescued and fully evacuated from the facility.

“A total of six casualties, comprising three males and three females, were recorded, all of whom are in stable condition. One affected individual has been transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further medical evaluation and remains stable,” the statement reads.

According to FAAN, as an additional safety precaution, the sixth floor of the affected facility has been completely evacuated to support ongoing emergency operations and risk mitigation.

Preliminary findings from the Fire Service indicate that the fire originated from the server room on the first floor of Terminal 1, FAAN disclosed.

“The fire within the departure hall is now largely under control, while responders continue close monitoring to prevent any spread to adjoining sections of the terminal.

“In line with established safety protocols, the airspace remains temporarily closed. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is actively working to establish a temporary Control Tower to enable the safe and timely restoration of airport operations as soon as practicable,” FAAN explained in a statement.

FAAN confirmed that all emergency procedures were activated and continues to collaborate with relevant emergency and support agencies to safeguard lives, infrastructure, and operational integrity.