Emmanuel OchayiChaos gripped Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday morning as an unexpected inferno erupted within Terminal 1. Passengers and airline operators found themselves in a chaotic situation, scrambling to evacuate the premises.
At approximately 0750 hours today, chaos unfolded when smoke filled the air at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s Terminal 1, located in Ikeja, Lagos. The source of the smoke was traced back to the basement of the Terminal building.
It was learned that the inferno was caused by a faulty cable on the Tarmac at the international wing of the airport – an incident that led to confusion as passengers and staff tried to escape from the facility.
It was reported that the fire destroyed a section of the administrative office of FAAN.
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“All passengers and staff were asked to evacuate the building while the Lagos State Fire service was on hand to complement that of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),” a source said.
In a quick and decisive response, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), stated, “Promptly responding to the situation, the dedicated firefighters from the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport initiated immediate action. Their swift response and professional efforts have successfully brought the situation under control.”
The safety and well-being of passengers, staff, and all airport users remained a top priority for FAAN. To ensure their protection, the Terminal building was swiftly evacuated due to the pervasive smoke.
“We are pleased to report that the situation is presently under control,” Yakubu-Funtua confirmed. “FAAN remains committed to her core values of safety, security, and comfort.”
In a time of crisis, the professionalism and efficiency of the ARFFS team at Murtala Muhammed International Airport have been crucial in averting a potentially disastrous situation. Passengers and airport personnel are now waiting for further updates and information as the authorities work to restore normalcy.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role played by emergency response teams in ensuring the safety of the public, even in the face of unexpected and potentially catastrophic events.
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