The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has dismissed reports of a fire outbreak at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, explaining that the smoke seen on Sunday was caused by the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
In a statement issued on Sunday, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said preliminary investigations showed there was no fire at the terminal.
According to him, the smoke that caused panic among passengers and airport users resulted from the automatic release of the FM-200 fire suppression system, although the reason for its activation is still being investigated.
“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,” Agbebire said.
“The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated.”
FAAN said flight and passenger activities at Terminal 2 have returned to normal while investigators continue to determine what triggered the unexpected discharge of the system.
The authority assured travellers and other airport users that safety remains its highest priority, promising to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
It also expressed appreciation to passengers, airlines and other stakeholders for their patience and cooperation during the incident.
“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,” Agbebire added.
The clarification came after an earlier advisory from FAAN reported what was believed to be a fire incident at the terminal. At the time, the agency said its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) was immediately deployed to the scene and confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
The initial report sparked concern among passengers before FAAN later confirmed that no fire had occurred.
The incident comes months after a separate fire at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport damaged key air traffic control equipment, disrupted flight operations and forced aviation authorities to temporarily rely on backup systems while repairs were carried out.
