Australia flight declares emergency after vape catches fire in cabin

A Virgin Australia flight (Flight VA328) was forced to declare an emergency on Sunday after a passenger's vape caught fire in the cabin. The Boeing 737 aircraft had departed Brisbane Airport (BNE) in the early afternoon and near the end of the journey, smoke was noticed in the cabin. The source was identified as a passenger's vape device that had begun to burn, according to ASVN. As a precaution, the pilots issued a PAN call to Melbourne Airport (MEL). PAN calls are for serious issues that fall just under immediate threats to life or the aircraft. Crew members were able to isolate the vape in a fireproof containment bag and the aircraft landed safely at around 4:20 p.m. local time. Aviation Rescue firefighters followed the aircraft on the taxi after it landed and removed the vape from the plane as a precaution, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. All passengers were able to disembark with no injuries. Lithium-ion batteries can be found in portable power banks, cell phones, laptops, tablets, vape pens and other modern mobile devices. When overheated, a battery can release heavy smoke or fire. As such, there are restrictions and guidelines on shipping and flying with them. A record 89 lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire or extreme heat occurred on aircraft in 2024, according to the FAA, and 38 had occurred in 2025 as of June. RELATED STORIES: FAA proposes fines against 3 companies after multiple lithium-ion battery fires Emirates bans use of portable power banks on all flights Fire in the sky: How flight attendants handle in-flight fires Multiple airlines have placed tight restrictions on portable power banks due to lithium-ion batteries, including Emirates, Virgin Australia and Qantas. Regulations for these devices typically require them to be stored in carry-on luggage only so that crews can easily access the device and manage the situation. Aircraft carry specialized fire containment equipment and protective gloves designed specifically for dealing with overheating electronics, according to Simple Flying. "The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority, and we thank our crew for their swift response in containing the device," a Virgin spokesperson said in a statement.