Smoke drifts through Aquino airport

Smoke from an overheated ventilation fan briefly wafted through the fourth floor of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s old terminal yesterday but did not hamper flights.

Emmanuel Rodriguez, the terminal’s duty manager, said duty manager for engineering Manuel Wong noticed smoke and immediately called for firefighters.

Very little of the smoke reached the lower floors where the terminal counters were located but did not cause concern among travelers. Two flights that were boarding that time left on schedule.

Firefighters said the smoke originated from the fan’s insulation, which overheated. The ventilation fan is one of several that are part of the terminal’s air conditioning system that recycles air in the building.

"The firemen found the smoldering ember and put it out. But otherwise there was no major damage or panic among the passengers below," Rodriguez said. — Rainier Allan Ronda