Gatwick mid-air flight emergency as phone charger bursts into flames injuring passenger

The incident happened on board a Gatwick flight (Gareth Fuller/PA) PA Archive Matt Watts , News Editor | Niva Yadav 2 minutes ago COMMENTS A British Airways passenger suffered burns when a portable phone charger he was carrying burst into flames during a flight, The Standard understands.

A power bank is understood to have ignited in a male passenger’s pocket around 15 minutes into the flight sending fellow passengers into panic.

One passenger said that she heard someone shout ‘fire’ and a burning smell before seeing flames halfway down the aisle.

Hero members of the cabin crew came to the man’s aid, putting out the fire and making the device safe.

The man is understood to have suffered burns in the incident and needed treatment.

Other passengers are understood to have sought treatment for smoke inhalation.

A passenger described the incident as the “scariest moment” of her life, in a post online after the flight touched down.

“Safety is always our top priority and our flight landed back at Gatwick following this incident,” a British Airway spokesperson said.

“We're extremely grateful for the actions of our crew on the flight to resolve the issue swiftly and safely.

“We're sorry to our customers for the delay to their travel plans and thank them for bearing with us.”

Portable power banks typically contain lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and, in rare cases, catch fire if damaged or faulty.

Airlines impose safety rules on the carriage and use of such devices, and passengers should follow their carrier’s instructions.

Heidi Alexander says third Heathrow runway could grow ‘every corner’ of UK

The Civil Aviation Authority is reminding passengers all devices, such as power banks or vapes, that contain lithium batteries should be carried in the cabin and never put in hold bags.