A Scoot flight from Hong Kong to Singapore experienced a small fire in the cabin caused by an overheated power bank, but thankfully, no passengers or crew were injured. The incident occurred on flight TR939 on Saturday, 22 November.
A passenger who witnessed the event shared her experience on the social media platform XiaoHongShu. She said that as the plane was about to land, she detected a “strong burning smell” and initially thought a laptop had caught fire.
Cabin crew quickly responded, using a fire extinguisher and water to put out the small flame.
Cabin Damage and Passenger Reactions
Another passenger posted a photo showing a burn mark on the cabin wall. Some netizens described the sight as “scary,” though others noted the fire could not have burned through the plane’s body due to cabin pressure.
The first passenger explained to The Straits Times that cabin crew rushed to gather protective gloves, ice, and a fire extinguisher. They then dragged a black laptop bag into the toilet while instructing passengers to remain seated and avoid taking photos or videos.
Passengers were only informed of the fire after landing in Singapore, which caused “some panic” and discomfort from the smoke and chemical odor.
Scoot’s Statement
In a statement, Scoot confirmed the fire was caused by an overheated power bank, creating a “small flame” in the cabin. The airline said the crew promptly extinguished it, and all passengers and staff disembarked safely at 9:06 pm.
“Scoot apologizes for the disruption and inconvenience caused. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline said.
Safety Measures and Restrictions
The incident comes amid a series of in-flight fires suspected to be caused by power banks. Following similar incidents, Scoot and Singapore Airlines have banned the use of power banks on board since 1 April. Charging devices via onboard USB ports is also prohibited. Other airlines, including AirAsia and Thai Airways, have implemented similar restrictions.
