The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has disclosed how a lithium inverter battery led to the fire incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos terminal on Wednesday morning.

A statement by Mr. Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, FAAN, said that the fire incident was caused by the burning lithium inverter battery installed at the basement, which led to a suspected electrical spark at the baggage hall ceiling.

The statement hinted that the fire began at approximately 07: 23hrs,

According to him, the firefighters from the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) of the international airport and the Electrical Department of the authority initiated immediate action at about 07:30hrs, barely seven minutes after the fire began.

He said that this swift response and professional efforts successfully brought the situation under control and reduced the spread of the inferno.

The statement added: “In accordance with our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of passengers, staff, and all airport users, the terminal building was promptly evacuated due to the smoke that had permeated some areas of the facility.

“We are pleased to report that the situation is presently under control.”

In April 2017, the former headquarters of FAAN, now regional headquarters, was equally affected by a fire incident.

The affected offices then included the Audit, Communications and Engineering Departments.

The incident was allegedly caused by an electrical fault from one of the departments.

The files and other equipment belonging to the authority were completely destroyed during the fire incident.

He said that Saleh Dunoma, the then Managing Director of FAAN, set up a panel of enquiry to investigate the fire incident after he inspected affected areas alongside his management team.

He said: “The committee will comprise representatives from the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Accident Investigation Bureau, the authority’s Director of Security Services, representatives from Fire department, Safety department and Legal.

“The Legal representative would also serve as the Secretary to the panel.”

The committee, the statement added, would investigate the entire incident, with a view to evaluating the immediate and remote causes of the fire, determining the extent of damage, making recommendations to forestall future recurrence, amongst other issues that may arise during the cause of their investigation. (Daily Independent)

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