Passenger Injured After Gadget ignites in Qantas lounge
Melbourne, Australia – November 8, 2025 – A 50-year-old man sustained burns after a device in his pocket ignited, causing a fire in a Qantas business lounge at Melbourne Airport on Thursday. Approximately 150 passengers were evacuated as a precaution, and the lounge remained closed for nearly two hours.
The incident occurred while the man was waiting for his departure. Witnesses reported hearing screams before discovering his jacket was on fire. Emergency services treated the man for burns to his fingers and one leg before transporting him to a local hospital.
Qantas has confirmed the incident “involved a customer’s power bank” containing a lithium battery. The airline is currently reviewing its policies regarding devices with lithium batteries.
Authorities note lithium batteries can pose a safety risk on airplanes if damaged or overheated, leading to a ban on carrying them in checked baggage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported more than 50 lithium battery-related incidents on US flights this year.
“His jacket caught fire. They evacuated us because the smoke was so strong. Hope the guy is okay,” one traveler told reporters.
A Qantas spokesperson stated to 7News, “The lounge was evacuated as a precaution and the emergency services took care of the customer.”