Confusion reigned for almost some time at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Thursday morning due to an initial thick smoke which subsequently resulted in fire outbreak around the E54 passenger bridge at the E wing axis of the international airport.

The development forced all flight operations to be diverted to the D Wing of the airport terminal to allow firemen to put the crazy situation under control.

Though the firemen of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were able to put the situation under control after rigorous struggle, the incident created panic amongst Airport users.

Confirming this in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and consumer protection at FAAN, Mrs Obiagelo Orah, FAAN said a smoke was detected at 05.29 hours from the E54 bridge of the airport leading electrical engineers to immediately cut off power to the entire E wing of the airport.

According to the statement:”The airport rescue and fire fighting services team was quick to respond arriving at the scene by o4.30hoirs.

“Initial suspicions point to sparks from an electrial unit as the cause, but a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire.

“The incident which had escalated into a fire was brought under control by 06.49hrs. Efforts to ventilate the smoke from the building are in progress.

“Meanwhile, all flight operations in Terminal one have been diverted to the D wing terminal of the airport.”

The issue of fire outbreak which has become too regular at the airport has continued to be a source of concerns to stakeholders. (Nigerian Tribune)