Fire erupts at Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s terminal, trapping 10 in control tower
A fire broke out on parts of the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal One—the old terminal undergoing multibillion-naira renovations—in Lagos on Monday, triggering an emergency response and temporary flight disruptions.
Eyewitnesses said the blaze started on one floor before spreading to adjacent sections, forcing evacuations as thick smoke filled the building. Air traffic controllers in the control tower on the sixth floor were among roughly 10 people reportedly trapped, with heavy smoke complicating rescue efforts and assessments of others potentially affected.
An airport official noted the fire remained intense around 5:15 p.m., but initial reports indicated no casualties.
Firefighters from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other emergency teams battled the flames, while a police helicopter hovered nearby—though it was unclear if it aided rescues. Inbound flights faced delays, with some aircraft circling until landing clearance.
The cause remains unconfirmed but is suspected to stem from an electrical fault, echoing a similar incident in September 2023 when a lithium inverter battery sparked smoke in the baggage hall.
FAAN officials assured updates as the situation evolves.
