Scoot, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Singapore’s Changi Airport, Singapore, Jan. 18, 2021. Photo by Reuters
A small fire broke out on a Scoot flight from Hong Kong to Singapore on Nov. 22 after a passenger’s rechargeable power bank overheated.
In a Xiaohongshu post, a passenger said a strong burning smell filled the cabin as the plane prepared to land.
A video attached to the post shows several flight attendants gathered around an item on the cabin floor while passengers looked on.
The crew subsequently dragged a black laptop bag into the toilet and instructed passengers to remain seated and refrain from taking photos or videos, The Straits Times reported.
According to the passenger, those on board were informed about the fire only after landing, causing some panic and discomfort due to the smell of smoke and chemicals.
The passenger added that cabin crew took some time to extinguish the fire.
After landing, firefighters and medics boarded the aircraft to ensure everything was under control before passengers disembarked.
A Scoot spokesperson said no injuries were reported and that airport emergency services were on standby upon arrival in Singapore, Must Share News reported.
The airline confirmed that an overheated power bank caused a small flame in the cabin, which was promptly extinguished by the cabin crew.
Scoot apologizes for the disruption and inconvenience caused.
Singapore Airlines and its budget subsidiary, Scoot, ban passengers from using power banks to charge their devices during flights starting April 1 due to safety concerns.
