FAAN Backtracks, says No Fire at Lagos Airport’s Terminal 2

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.

PUNCH Online learnt that activities were briefly disrupted at the country’s busiest airport on Sunday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.

Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.

Earlier on Sunday, FAAN had announced that a fire had occurred at Terminal 2 and said its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.

However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.

“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.

“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. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated.”

FAAN said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.

“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.

The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.

“FAAN appreciates the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterates its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.”

The authority has now clarified that no fire occurred and attributed the smoke to the activation of the terminal’s fire suppression system.