Fire in overhead locker on Virgin Australia flight believed to be caused by lithium battery in power bank | Virgin Australia

It is believed that a fire exploding from Sydney to Hobart on the Virgin Australian flight is caused by a passenger in the transport trunk and asks the airline to take into account the changes in the battery policy.

Virgin Flight VA1528, airline spokesman, the fire began in a fire in a cabinet on Monday, Hobart landed, he said.

Online news output in the video reported by the Tasmania pulse video, passengers trying to help water bottles, while a fire extinguisher in the cigarette bag showed a flight officer.

The virgin spokesman said the cabin team had extinguished the fire before the plane landed and the firefighters took a bag out of the closet.

They said, “Security is always our highest priority,” they said. “In addition to the rapid and professional reaction of our flight and cabin team, we appreciate the support of Airservices Australian firefighters.”

No flight crew or passengers were injured.

Hobart Airport Chief Business Officer Matt Cocker said that all passengers were safely ashore and that a person was evaluated by medical officers for insured smoke breathing.

Virgin explores the event with the Australian Transportation Safety Office (ATSB) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Spare lithium batteries containing power banks are typically allowed to bring to planes in the trunk due to fire risk.

Virgin said that the investigation may result in other changes in the battery policy of the investigation özenmek to ensure the safety of our guests and team members ”.

Casa said that the average Australian passenger is traveling with at least 4 rechargeable lithium battery devices.

The agency previously released a warning about flying with battery -powered devices that call on passengers safely.

Casa said that battery -powered devices such as laptops and cameras can be placed in controlled baggage as long as they are completely closed.

The agency said that batteries and power banks could burn short circuit, overheating and fire during a flight, and that it could be very difficult to extinguish lithium ion battery fires.

CASA, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACC) has seen an increase of 92% in incidents containing lithium ion batteries compared to 2020.

In January, 169 passengers and seven crew members were caught on fire before they got up and then evacuated from Busan Airbus in the asphalt in South Korea.

Inspectors reportedly believed that the fire that destroyed the plane was caused by the incorrect power bank.

Several airlines tightened the rules of flying with lithium batteries due to the risk of fire, including Singapore Airlines, which prohibits passengers from using power banks during flights.