Passenger burned as power bank ignites in Melbourne Qantas lounge
Iain Hoey
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Qantas reopens Melbourne lounge after power bank battery fire
Qantas said it temporarily closed its business class lounge at Melbourne airport after a power bank exploded in a passenger’s pocket.
The incident happened on Thursday morning (6 November) in the international terminal, The Guardian reported.
The man’s power bank overheated and ignited, burning his leg and fingers and filling the lounge with smoke.
About 150 people were evacuated as a precaution, Qantas said.
The passenger was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital for further assessment.
Airline confirms lounge has since reopened
Qantas said it worked with Melbourne airport staff to ventilate and clean the lounge before reopening it.
A company spokesperson said: “We worked with the Melbourne airport to clean the lounge and it has since reopened.”
The company confirmed operations returned to normal after the inspection and cleaning were completed.
Previous lithium-ion battery incidents on flights
The Guardian reported that in July Virgin Australia reviewed its battery policies after a fire broke out on a Sydney to Hobart flight.
That incident was believed to have been caused by a power bank in a passenger’s carry-on bag.
Many airlines, including Qantas, have since tightened restrictions on lithium-ion batteries used in devices such as mobility equipment and portable chargers.
The measures aim to reduce the risk of overheating or combustion during flights.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
Incidents involving portable lithium-ion batteries remain a central concern for aviation fire safety specialists, airport facility managers and regulatory authorities.
Thermal runaway in small consumer devices can cause ignition, toxic smoke and localised burns even outside aircraft cabins.
Airport fire and rescue teams continue to adapt procedures for confined-area incidents involving battery fires in lounges and terminals.
Airlines’ evolving restrictions on battery-powered items highlight the growing operational need for consistent risk assessment and public awareness measures.
Such cases reinforce the importance of lithium-ion fire behaviour knowledge among first responders, maintenance personnel and safety officers responsible for airport operations.