Blaze engulfs section of Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s temporary terminal as passengers and staff flee; firefighters race to contain incident

Panic swept through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Wednesday after a fire broke out at a section of the airport’s temporary terminal, forcing a swift evacuation of passengers, airline crew, and airport personnel.

Eyewitnesses reported that thick smoke suddenly filled the terminal, triggering fear and confusion as travellers scrambled for safety. Airport officials quickly initiated emergency protocols, guiding people out of the building while security operatives worked to restore order.

“The terminal was suddenly engulfed in smoke. Everyone had to be evacuated immediately,” an airport source said.

The incident reportedly occurred shortly after an Ethiopian Airlines flight had completed boarding and departed, although it remains unclear if there is any connection to the fire.

Emergency response teams, including firefighters from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), were promptly deployed to the scene. Efforts were focused on containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the airport facility.

While the situation initially caused widespread alarm, authorities managed to evacuate occupants safely. As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed casualties or injuries.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and officials are yet to release a formal statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The latest outbreak adds to growing concerns over safety at the country’s busiest airport, coming just weeks after a separate fire incident disrupted operations and damaged critical communication systems, forcing air traffic controllers to rely on backup infrastructure.

Investigations are expected to begin once the fire is fully contained, as authorities assess the extent of damage and work to prevent future occurrences.