Six casualties recorded as fire guts Lagos Airport

Six casualties were recorded in the fire outbreak that occurred at the Terminal One of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Monday evening.

This was disclosed by the managing Director/ Chief Executive of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku while briefing journalists  on the fire incident.

Kuku who disclosed that the six casualties involved in the inferno have been stabilised, and are  responding to treatments.  added that one of them has been moved to FAAN medical facility within the airport for further evaluation and monitoring.

“A total of six (6) 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.” She said.

The FAAN CE disclosed that preliminary investigations by the officials of Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting  Service (ARFFS), indicated the the fire started from the server room on the first floor of the terminal One building.

According to her, “preliminary findings from the Fire Service indicate that the fire originated from the server room on the first floor of Terminal 1. 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.”

She equally confirmed that the incident has been communicated to the industry regulatory body,   Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Kuku who agreed that the incident has impacted the operations of the airport, however assured that operations would be restored before mid night.

“In terms of the impact, as I mentioned earlier, it has affected some of our operations. We did have about three flights that were diverted. However, the operations will be back up and running in the next half an hour,” she said. “Most of our departures and even arrivals have already moved. Most of the departures moved into Terminal 2. We do have four airlines that were planned to move into the temporary terminal. The temporary terminal is ready.

“British Airways was diverted to Abuja while Lufthansa to Malabo and, of course, the Emirates flight. However, for travelling passengers, please note that in the next half an hour, our operations will be back up and running. So it’s okay to come into the airport if you have flight operations in the next couple of hours or in the next couple of days.”

“To strengthen response efforts, FAAN has activated mutual aid arrangements and called for reinforcements from the Lagos State Government, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, and other relevant emergency agencies.”