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Screams and smoke broke out in Melbourne Airport’s international Qantas business lounge after a man caught fire when a powerbank ignited in his pocket, forcing about 150 travellers to evacuate.
Staff leapt to the aid of the man about 11am on Thursday, helping him into a shower and evacuating the lounge after the powerbank overheated.
A traveller’s photo of the charred device after it ignited on Thursday morning.Credit: Instragam via leannetonkes
One traveller said they suddenly “heard screaming from the other side of the lounge”, and the explosion of the device sent “battery acid flying everywhere”.
“His jacket caught on fire. They evacuated us because the smoke and smell was so strong, but I really just hope the guy is okay,” the traveller wrote on social media, sharing a photo of the charred device surrounded by warning signs.
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Film producer Leanne Tonkes, who was also in the lounge at the time, praised the response from staff and a fellow passenger.
“Quick thinking from the man who jumped in to help and the staff who got him in the shower and everyone else out of the lounge,” Tonkes wrote on Instagram.
The man, aged in his 50s, sustained burns to his leg and fingers. Ambulance Victoria paramedics treated him at the airport, where they arrived about 11.10am on Thursday.
The man was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition.
Qantas is reviewing its policy for passengers carrying lithium batteries. The airline has flagged it would soon issue an update about the review.
“There was an incident at the Qantas International Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport this morning involving a customer’s powerbank,” a Qantas spokeswoman said on Thursday evening.
“The lounge was evacuated as a precaution and emergency services treated the customer on site.
“We worked with the Melbourne Airport to clean the lounge and it has since reopened.”
Melbourne Airport also confirmed they were aware of the incident, and said firefighters attended.
Virgin Australia said it was rethinking its powerbank policy after a fire broke out in an overhead locker in July, on a Sydney to Hobart flight.
In January, 27 people were injured after an Air Busan plane caught fire while preparing for take-off in South Korea, when a powerbank in an overhead luggage compartment ignited.
South Korea put nationwide restrictions on powerbanks in March.
Emirates last month imposed a ban on the use of the devices aboard its 266-plane fleet, and restricted passengers to bringing one each on board.
The International Air Transport Association is funding a campaign to raise awareness about the risks of lithium-powered batteries, in response to growing concern.
Passengers have widespread misconceptions about the dangers of carrying lithium-powered devices, with half believing packing small devices in checked luggage is safe, according to a recent poll by the association.
The organisation, which represents 350 airlines globally, urges passengers to bring the devices only when they are absolutely necessary. Travellers should also monitor their powerbanks, and alert airline crew if the devices become damaged or excessively hot, the association warns.
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