Lagos Airspace Shut Indefinitely as Fire Guts Old Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Operations across Nigeria’s busiest aviation hub were brought to an abrupt halt on Monday after a major fire outbreak engulfed the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, forcing authorities to shut down Lagos airspace indefinitely.
The blaze reportedly ignited earlier in the day and spread rapidly through sections of the terminal complex. PulseNets learnt that emergency responders were dispatched promptly; however, dense smoke and raging flames significantly hampered access to critical areas of the building.
As the situation escalated, international flight operations were immediately suspended. Aircraft movements into and out of Lagos were halted, leaving multiple carriers and passengers stranded.
“Lagos airspace closed; no flights in and out. No flight can land,” an aviation source said on Monday evening.
According to information obtained by PulseNets from sources at the scene, approximately 10 individuals were trapped on the sixth floor of the control tower while the inferno intensified. Firefighters, alongside security agencies, were said to be coordinating efforts to reach the affected level and secure the safe evacuation of those inside.
“There are roughly 10 people trapped at the control tower on the 6th floor and we are making efforts to get them to safety,” a source said.
Thick plumes of smoke reportedly blanketed the terminal building, drastically reducing visibility and complicating rescue operations.
“I can’t be sure if there are others trapped anywhere else because there is a lot of smoke right now because the fire is still burning,” the source added.
While the precise cause of the airport fire has not been officially established, preliminary indications point to a potential electrical fault within the facility. PulseNets gathered that investigators are expected to conduct a detailed assessment once the blaze is fully contained.
“The fire is still burning but firefighters are here and are fighting to quench it. We’re not sure of the cause yet but we suspect electrical fault,” the source said.
Eyewitnesses also told PulseNets that a helicopter was observed hovering over the airport vicinity during the emergency response. Its operational mandate, however, remained unclear as of press time.
“The helicopter is roving around but we don’t know what it is doing here. We suspect it may belong to the police but we are not sure. It is just roving around,” the source said.
When questioned about whether the aircraft was deployed for rescue operations involving those trapped in the control tower, the source dismissed any visible evacuation effort linked to the helicopter.
“We don’t know what it is doing here, honestly. The helicopter is just roving around,” the source added.
As of the time this report was filed, firefighting operations were still ongoing, with airport authorities working intensively to contain the incident and stabilise the Lagos airport environment.
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PulseNets reports that the affected terminal is currently undergoing a multibillion-naira renovation project, a development that now raises concerns about infrastructure integrity and aviation safety compliance at the international airport.
An official statement from aviation authorities is expected to clarify the cause of the fire outbreak, assess structural damage, and provide a timeline for the reopening of Lagos airspace.
