- Safiu Kehinde
A fire outbreak at the old terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos has left many trapped with the state’s airspace temporarily closed to flights.
The incident occurred on Monday with over 10 people reported on the 6th floor of the airport’s control tower.
According to Sahara Reporters, an aviation source disclosed that the airport is currently closed for both international and local flight.
“Lagos airspace closed, no flights in and out. No flight can land,
“There are roughly 10 people trapped at the control tower on the 6th floor, and we are making efforts to get them to safety,” the source said.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Mohammed Adeola, the Airport Police Command disclosed receiving a distress call at approximately 3:45pm from the Aviation Security (AVSEC) base station.
The airport security officials informed the police that the fire erupted at the Old Terminal 1 which currently undergoing major renovation and repair work.
The inferno extended toward the control tower area, prompting swift action from the police with the deployment of helicopter to rescue trapped workers.
“At approximately 15:45 hours, a distress call was received via radio from the Aviation Security (AVSEC) base station, confirming a fire incident at the Old Terminal 1, which is currently undergoing major renovation and repair works. The fire reportedly extended towards the control tower area.
“In line with established emergency protocols and inter-agency collaboration, the Airport Police Command immediately activated its response mechanisms.
“A police helicopter was promptly deployed to the scene to provide aerial support and facilitate the safe evacuation of any workers or personnel who may have been trapped or at risk within the affected building.
“Our officers, working closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Rescue and Fire Fighting Services , Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other emergency responders, are ensuring perimeter security, crowd control, and the protection of life and property throughout the operation.” The statement partly read.
The police confirmed that no casualty has been recorded with the cause of the inferno still also largely unknown as that the time the statement was released.
It urged members of the public to avoid the affected area in order to allow emergency teams unhindered access as rescue operation is still ongoing.
“Evacuation efforts remain ongoing where necessary, and the situation is being closely monitored to prevent any secondary incidents or security breaches.
“Members of the public are advised to rely only on official channels for accurate information and to avoid the affected area to allow emergency teams unhindered access.” The statement added.