United Airlines: United Airlines plane took off from America San Diego International Airport. Soon after take-off, the battery pack of a passenger’s laptop caught fire. After this, four people including the attendant were taken to the hospital in the United Airlines flight. US broadcaster CNN reported that the plane returned safely and all four were treated for complications from smoke inhalation.
“United Airlines Flight 2664 returned safely to San Diego International Airport at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time after a passenger’s battery pack caught fire,” airline spokesman Charles Hobart said.
Suddenly smoke started coming out of the bag
A passenger traveling on the plane, Carolyn Lipinski, told a local news channel that a few minutes after takeoff, smoke suddenly started coming out of the bag of a first class man. The passenger said that “she threw something on the ground and it was something from the battery charger pack or her laptop and it burst into flames.” She added, “There was smoke in the cabin and I was scared.”
people were gasping
Stephen Jones, another passenger traveling on the plane, said that some people were gasping and screaming. The airline later thanked the crew for prioritizing the safety of everyone on board. Hobart said, “We are making arrangements to take our passenger to his destination.”
Firefighters pulled out all the passengers and crew and four people were taken to the hospital. Two others refused further treatment. CNN reported that the flight attendant who brought the fire under control was also taken to the hospital.
