FAAN Rejects Reports Of Fire Outbreak At Lagos Airport

Adoga Stephen
By Adoga Stephen - Editor-In-Chief
2 Min Read

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has refuted the claim of a fire incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

Online reports on Thursday suggested that a fire broke out at the airport due to an electrical fault, leading to a complete power outage in the old terminal.

According to the report, passengers and staff were instructed to move to a larger departure hall because of thick smoke coming from a part of the building.

However, FAAN clarified in a statement on X that the incident was actually a minor spark from a wire and not a fire.

“Today’s incident at the airport was limited to a minor wire spark in one of the units and has already been addressed. It was not a fire-related incident and did not disrupt any airport operations,” the authority posted.

“The depiction and reporting of the event… were misleadingly sensationalized.”

Obiageli Orah, the director of public affairs and consumer protection for the authority, stated on Friday that there was a cable short circuit at the E-arrival hall of the airport around 11:20 a.m. This caused a spark, but did not affect airport operations.

She clarified that despite what was reported in a national daily, the issue was quickly resolved to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.

“In response to the incident and to prevent any further escalation, the power supply to that section of the airport was immediately switched off,” Orah said.

“The Engineering department promptly mobilised to identify the source of the spark, and the suspected cable was swiftly cut to stop the power flow.

“The incident lasted for only few minutes, and normalcy was restored. Airport operations were never disrupted.”

Orah emphasized that ensuring the safety and security of passengers and staff is the airport’s top priority.

She also mentioned that the engineering department’s prompt and efficient response showcased FAAN’s dedication to upholding a safe and productive airport environment.

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Stephen studied Mass Communication at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu (now Lagos State University of Science and Technology), where he acquired requisite training for the practice of journalism. He loves the media, and his interest mostly lies in print medium, where his creative writing skill makes him a perfect fit.