A fire that broke out in an overhead locker on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart is believed to have been caused by a lithium battery in a power bank. The incident occurred on Monday as flight VA1528 was descending into Hobart.
Video footage shows a flight attendant using a fire extinguisher on a smoking bag while passengers assisted with water bottles. The airline confirmed that cabin crew extinguished the fire before landing, and firefighters removed the bag from the locker after the plane touched down.
All passengers disembarked safely, with one person assessed for suspected smoke inhalation. Virgin Australia is investigating the incident with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa).
The airline stated that the investigation could lead to changes in its battery policy to enhance safety. Casa has previously warned that spare lithium batteries and power banks should only be carried in hand luggage due to fire risks, noting that such fires can be difficult to extinguish.
