MMIA Terminal 1 fire sees all trapped staff rescued and six injured stable as FAAN works to restore operations at Lagos airport
The Federal Government on Monday confirmed that all personnel trapped during the MMIA Terminal 1 fire at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos have been safely rescued, with six injured individuals reported to be in stable condition.
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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria said coordinated firefighting, rescue and safety operations remained active following the outbreak at the departure terminal and control tower of the airport.
According to FAAN, a crane was deployed to the control tower where 14 people were initially trapped when the blaze intensified. All 14 were successfully evacuated without fatal injuries.
Of the six casualties recorded, comprising three men and three women, the authority said all were stable. One of the injured was transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further evaluation.
Preliminary findings by the fire service indicated that the MMIA Terminal 1 fire began in the server room on the first floor before spreading to sections of the departure hall.
Firefighters have largely brought the affected areas under control, though close monitoring continues to prevent any resurgence.
As a precautionary measure, the sixth floor of the facility was completely evacuated to support emergency operations and reduce risk to lives and infrastructure.
In line with aviation safety protocols, the airspace above the airport was temporarily closed while the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency works to establish a temporary control tower to facilitate the safe restoration of flight operations.
Flights into and out of Lagos were disrupted, with several international services diverted. Air Peace announced a temporary suspension of operations to affected terminals as emergency teams worked to contain the situation.
FAAN said all emergency procedures were promptly activated and emphasised that it was collaborating with relevant agencies to safeguard lives and protect critical infrastructure at Nigeria’s busiest aviation hub.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about infrastructure strain at Terminal 1, one of the older facilities at the airport, which has been undergoing rehabilitation ahead of a planned closure.
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Authorities said further verified updates would be provided as investigations and recovery efforts continue.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
