FAAN shuts airspace after fire breaks out in server room at Lagos airport

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has temporarily closed the airspace following a fire incident at Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

In an update on Monday, the agency said the closure was in line with established safety protocols as emergency response efforts continue.

FAAN confirmed that six casualties, comprising three males and three females, were recorded, noting that all are in stable condition. One of the affected persons has been transferred to the FAAN headquarters hospital for further medical evaluation.

The authority said emergency response operations remain active, with firefighting, rescue and safety teams continuing containment and recovery efforts. It added that a crane was deployed to assist rescue operations at the control tower, while all 14 persons initially trapped in the facility have been safely rescued and evacuated.

As an additional precaution, FAAN said the sixth floor of the affected facility has been fully evacuated to support ongoing emergency operations and reduce risks.

Preliminary findings by the fire service indicate that the fire originated from the server room on the first floor of Terminal One. The agency noted that the fire in the departure hall is largely under control, with responders closely monitoring the situation to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the terminal.

FAAN said the airspace remains temporarily closed, while the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is working to establish a temporary control tower to enable the safe restoration of airport operations as soon as possible.

The authority added that all emergency procedures were promptly activated and that it is collaborating with relevant agencies to safeguard lives, infrastructure and operations.

Meanwhile, an Air France flight en route from Paris to Lagos, which departed around 3 pm, has reportedly returned to Paris following the incident.