Horror as fire erupts on Sydney to Hobart Virgin Australia flight, causing major panic onboard with one passenger receiving medical attention
Flight VA1528 was beginning its descent into Hobart about 9am on Monday when the fire started in an overhead locker, filling the cabin with smoke.
Passengers reported smelling the smoke ten minutes before the plane landed.
Witnesses onboard told Pulse Tasmania flight crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery on fire inside a bag, while passengers described seeing flames leap out of the locker.
Several passengers reportedly jumped out of their seats in panic as voices could be heard in recorded footage yelling: "All the way down the back, keep moving quicker."
Flight attendants also instructed passengers not to film the fire as it unfolded, witnesses reported.
Initial attempts at putting out the fire with onboard extinguishers were unsuccessful, the outlet reported.
Cabin crew then doused the overhead compartment with water, eventually putting out the flames.
Airport firefighters removed the smouldering battery from the Boeing 737-8FE cabin once the plane landed safely.
Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker said one person received medical treatment for suspected smoke inhalation.
'The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,' he said.
Paramedics also checked over flight and cabin crew as a precaution.
'Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,' a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.
No other flights at Hobart Airport were impacted by the fire, but the replacement aircraft for the return flight was delayed by five hours.
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Horror as fire erupts on Sydney to Hobart Virgin Australia flight, causing major panic onboard with one passenger receiving medical attention
Passengers onboard a Virgin Australia plane from Sydney to Tasmania were temporarily thrown into panic after a fire broke out mid-flight. Flight VA1528 was beginning its descent into Hobart about 9am on Monday when the fire started in an overhead locker, filling the cabin with smoke. Passengers reported smelling the smoke ten minutes before the plane landed. Witnesses onboard told Pulse Tasmania flight crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery on fire inside a bag, while passengers described seeing flames leap out of the locker. Several passengers reportedly jumped out of their seats in panic as voices could be heard in recorded footage yelling: "All the way down the back, keep moving quicker." Flight attendants also instructed passengers not to film the fire as it unfolded, witnesses reported. Initial attempts at putting out the fire with onboard extinguishers were unsuccessful, the outlet reported. Cabin crew then doused the overhead compartment with water, eventually putting out the flames. Airport firefighters removed the smouldering battery from the Boeing 737-8FE cabin once the plane landed safely. Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker said one person received medical treatment for suspected smoke inhalation. 'The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,' he said. Paramedics also checked over flight and cabin crew as a precaution. 'Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,' a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. No other flights at Hobart Airport were impacted by the fire, but the replacement aircraft for the return flight was delayed by five hours.
