The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has ruled out reports of a fire outbreak at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after smoke detected inside the facility triggered emergency procedures and temporary disruption to passenger movement.
FAAN said the incident was caused by the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system, an automated safety mechanism designed to control possible fire risks, rather than an actual fire outbreak.
The clarification came after an initial post by the agency on its social media platform announced that a fire incident had occurred at the terminal and that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) had responded to the situation.
READ RELATED NEWS UPDATES
Tinubu orders suspension of FAAN cashless airport policy over gridlock
FAAN closes Lagos airspace after fire at MMIA terminal one
Tinubu orders suspension of FAAN cashless airport policy over gridlock
In a statement on Saturday, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said preliminary findings showed there was no fire at the airport facility.
Agbebire said, “Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system.”
He added that the reason behind the activation of the fire suppression system was still being investigated by the agency.
The incident briefly affected passenger movement at the terminal as FAAN carried out a precautionary evacuation after smoke was noticed within the facility. The agency said all passengers were safely moved out of the affected area before emergency responders assessed the situation and approved re-entry.
FAAN explained that the congestion later experienced at the terminal’s entry screening points was caused by the decision to subject passengers and their luggage to fresh security checks before allowing access into the building.
The agency said the additional screening process was necessary because of the evacuation procedure and safety measures adopted during the response.
FAAN said, “Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.”
The incident highlights the continuous importance of airport safety systems and emergency response procedures in managing unexpected situations within aviation facilities. Although no casualty or damage was reported, the initial fire alert created concerns among passengers and airport users before FAAN issued its clarification.
The Lagos airport, one of Nigeria’s busiest aviation hubs, handles thousands of domestic and international passengers daily. Any disruption at the facility often attracts immediate attention because of its impact on flight schedules, passenger confidence, and wider aviation operations.
FAAN assured airlines, passengers, and other airport users that safety remained its priority, and that a detailed investigation would determine why the fire suppression system activated and whether any corrective measures would be required.
The agency confirmed that passenger access points had returned to normal after the backlog created during the security process was cleared.
For More Details, Visit New Daily Prime
