LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24) — Around 10 individuals remain trapped in the control tower of Murtala Muhammad International Airport’s old terminal as a fire continues to rage through the facility, airport officials confirmed.
The blaze, first reported by Sahara Reporters, erupted at the old terminal, which is currently undergoing a multibillion-naira renovation project. According to an airport source, the fire has intensified, particularly on the sixth floor where the control tower is located.
“There are roughly 10 people trapped at the control tower on the sixth floor, and we are making efforts to get them to safety,” the official told Sahara Reporters at approximately 5:15 p.m. “I can’t be sure if there are others trapped anywhere else because there is a lot of smoke right now; the fire is still burning.”
Emergency crews are actively combating the flames, working to prevent the fire from spreading further into the terminal complex. A helicopter has been observed circling the site, though its exact role in the rescue operation remains unclear. Airport personnel speculate that it may be operated by law enforcement, but there is no confirmation that it is assisting in evacuating those trapped.
“The helicopter is just roving around, honestly. We don’t know what it is doing here,” the source added.
The cause of the fire has not yet been definitively determined. However, preliminary assessments suggest an electrical fault may have sparked the blaze, echoing similar incidents in the past.
This is not the first fire to affect Murtala Muhammad International Airport in recent years. On September 6, 2023, a fire broke out at the airport’s international wing. Investigations by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) revealed that the incident stemmed from a suspected electrical spark in the ceiling of the baggage hall, where a lithium inverter battery installed in the basement had ignited.
The recurrence of such fires has raised concerns about infrastructure safety and the adequacy of preventive measures in the airport’s older facilities. Aviation safety experts emphasize the need for comprehensive electrical inspections, particularly in areas undergoing renovation.
The ongoing fire at the old terminal could have significant operational and safety consequences. While the airport’s newer terminals remain unaffected, the disruption to the control tower poses immediate risks for air traffic coordination. Officials are closely monitoring flight operations to ensure safety is not compromised.
Analysts note that repeated fire incidents at Murtala Muhammad International Airport highlight broader challenges in maintaining aging infrastructure amid increasing passenger traffic. A multibillion-naira renovation aims to modernize the facility, but incidents like the current blaze underscore the importance of rigorous fire safety protocols and emergency preparedness measures.
Local authorities have mobilized firefighting units and coordinated emergency response teams to contain the fire and rescue those trapped. Residents and airport employees in the vicinity report heavy smoke, while emergency sirens echo across Lagos.
Safety experts suggest that rapid deployment of aerial support and specialized firefighting equipment is critical to preventing the blaze from reaching nearby operational areas, including the newer terminals and adjacent airport facilities.
As of Tuesday evening, firefighters continue battling the flames, and rescue efforts remain ongoing for the ten individuals trapped in the control tower. Authorities have not provided a confirmed timeline for extinguishing the fire or for evacuating all affected personnel.
The incident underscores the pressing need for both preventive infrastructure maintenance and robust emergency response protocols at major transportation hubs. Aviation regulators and airport operators are expected to conduct a detailed post-incident review to identify causes and implement safety enhancements, ensuring the recurrence of such events is minimized.
For now, the focus remains on containing the blaze, safeguarding human life, and restoring normal airport operations at one of Nigeria’s busiest aviation hubs.
