Power Bank Explosion Sets Passenger on Fire at Melbourne Airport Lounge

Travelers at Australia’s Melbourne International Airport were forced to evacuate after a man caught fire in the Qantas Airways business lounge when a power bank exploded in his pocket. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, left the man with minor burns and prompted an immediate emergency response from airport firefighters.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as smoke and a strong burning odor filled the lounge. One traveler on Reddit said they “heard screaming from the other side of the lounge” as the device exploded, sending “battery acid flying everywhere.” The passenger’s jacket caught fire before staff and other travelers quickly intervened, guiding him to a shower to extinguish the flames.

Airport officials confirmed that firefighters arrived promptly and evacuated the lounge as a precaution. The man, reportedly in his 50s, suffered burns to his leg and fingers and was later transported to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

Australian filmmaker Leanne Tonkes, who witnessed the event, praised the “quick thinking” of both passengers and staff in containing the situation. “Hoping the man who caught fire is okay,” she shared on social media.

According to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), lithium-ion power banks are permitted only in carry-on bags, not checked luggage, due to fire risks. Many international airlines—including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific—prohibit the use of such devices during flights.

The incident follows a similar episode in October 2025, when an Air China flight made an emergency landing in Shanghai after a lithium battery ignited in a passenger’s carry-on bag, underscoring growing safety concerns over lithium-powered devices in aviation.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com