A frightening incident in the Qantas business lounge at Melbourne Airport has once again drawn attention to the growing fire hazards linked to lithium batteries used in everyday electronic devices.
According to The Independent, a 50-year-old man suffered serious burns after a power bank reportedly burst into flames in his trouser pocket, forcing staff to evacuate around 150 passengers. Witnesses described hearing screams before seeing the device explode, sending smoke and battery acid across the lounge. The man was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital with significant burns to his leg and fingers.
Qantas has since confirmed the incident and announced a review of its policies on lithium-powered devices. Aviation authorities worldwide are increasingly concerned as fires involving lithium batteries in mobile phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and power banks continue to rise. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recorded a 92% increase in reported lithium battery incidents in 2022, prompting airlines such as Emirates and Virgin Australia to introduce stricter rules for passengers.
The device in the news item is reported as a “power bank,” carried in a passenger’s trouser pocket. This tragic incident highlights the inherent fire risks and instability of lithium batteries, particularly when exposed to heat, pressure, or physical damage, whether in power banks, mobile phones, or other battery-powered devices.
This latest case is now included in the EM Radiation Research Trust’s Phone Mast and Smart Meter Fire Report, which tracks the growing number of fires and safety incidents involving lithium-powered and wireless technologies across public, domestic, and industrial settings.
For more documented cases and detailed analysis of fires involving mobile‑phone‑mast and smart‑meter infrastructure, see our full report collection here: RRT Fire Reports
Read the full story via The Independent:
🔗 Passenger set on fire in airport lounge due to freak accident