A battery fire that started in an overhead bin mid-flight prompted a Spirit Airlines flight to land unscheduled.
On March 1, 2023, an onboard passenger reportedly yelled “fire” as the Airbus A320 was flying from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Orlando International Airport (MCO).
As some passengers attempted to approach the fire, the plane cabin began to fill with smoke, as captured on video and in photographs by anxious passengers.
According to News 4 JAX, a retired firefighter from New York City burned his fingers while assisting the crew in extinguishing the fire.
— Joseph Fleck (@nottajshow) March 1, 2023
The retired firefighter blamed the fire on a “battery-powered vape tied to a battery charging inside the compartment.”
In Jacksonville (JAX), Florida, the jet successfully landed, and first responders boarded.
A spokesperson for Spirit Airlines told CNN: “The plane landed at JAX and taxied to the terminal without incident. We thank our crew and Guests for their quick actions to ensure the safety of everyone onboard, and we thank first responders for meeting the aircraft.”
— Joseph Fleck (@nottajshow) March 1, 2023
The passengers on Spirit Airlines were left without a travel option to Orlando, forcing some of them to pay $250 for an Uber.
“Spirit Airlines Flight 259 landed safely at Jacksonville International Airport around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1 after the crew reported a battery on fire in an overhead bin,” an FAA spokesperson confirmed.
Here’s video from inside the @SpiritAirlines flight where a fire broke out in an overhead bin en route to #Orlando. Firefighters say it stemmed from a battery in someone’s carry on. JFRD says 10 people were taken to the hospital w/ non-life threatening injuries @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/ib7bMGweLd
— Renee Beninate (@reneebeninate) March 2, 2023
