Fire warning causes panic at NAIA-1

MANILA, Philippines – There was panic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 after a fire warning sounded on its messaging system late Friday.

Passengers and employees scampered for safety when the public address system blared, “Attention please, attention please, there is a fire reported in the building, please proceed to the nearest exit and leave the building.”

There was neither fire nor smoke, but the fire alarm was reportedly triggered by heat generated when Japan Airlines personnel boiled water for their business class passengers in their lounge, located at the west concourse area of the terminal.

Terminal 1 manager Dante Basanta said this was not the first time that the fire alarm system was accidentally activated.

He said the first incident occurred when airline employees heated their food in the microwave.

The fire alarm warning went on system lasted for five to ten minutes before it was switched off by responding fire and rescue personnel.