Confusion engulfed the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Thursday morning following thick smoke and subsequent fire outbreak around the E54 passenger bridge at the E wing axis of the international airport.
All Nigeria Latest News reports that the development led to the diversion of all flight operations to the D Wing of the airport terminal to allow firefighters to bring the situation under control.
Despite the rigorous efforts of the firemen from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the situation was eventually brought under control. However, the incident caused panic among airport users.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiagelo Orah, while confirming the incident stated that smoke was detected at 05:29 hours from the E54 bridge of the airport. Consequently, electrical engineers promptly cut off power to the entire E wing of the airport.
She said, ”The airport rescue and fire fighting services team was quick to respond arriving at the scene by o4.30hoirs.
“Initial suspicions point to sparks from an electrial unit as the cause, but a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire.
“The incident which had escalated into a fire was brought under control by 06.49hrs. Efforts to ventilate the smoke from the building are in progress.
“Meanwhile, all flight operations in Terminal one have been diverted to the D wing terminal of the airport.”