A commercial flight from Atlanta to Dallas was reportedly disrupted after a passenger’s laptop caught fire inside the cabin, injuring at least five people. The incident took place aboard American Airlines Flight 2398 as the aircraft was nearing Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
The aircraft was carrying 133 passengers and crew members when smoke and flames were reported towards the rear of the plane. Air traffic control audio recordings obtained by CBS News captured the captain informing controllers about the cabin fire.
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“Cabin fire in the back of the airplane,” the pilot can be heard as saying, according to the news outlet’s report.
Crew moves burning laptop
Flight attendants responded to the fire and managed to extinguish the flames. They then moved the burning device towards the middle section of the aircraft to contain the situation and prevent further damage.
Several travellers sustained minor burns to their hands while attempting to deal with the laptop or move away from it.
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Jessica Irgens, a passenger on the flight, told CBS News that the incident took place around 30 minutes before the aircraft was due to land. According to Irgens, another passenger’s laptop began emitting smoke before catching fire, causing smoke to spread through the cabin.
Irgens said she was seated two rows away from where the fire started. As the smoke intensified, she moved towards the rear of the aircraft.
The aircraft landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and proceeded directly to the gate. Medical teams and airport emergency responders were waiting for the plane when it arrived as per a report by the BBC.
Paramedics assessed the affected passengers, while one traveller received medical treatment at the scene before being released.
American Airlines praises flight crew
Following the incident, American Airlines praised the crew for their quick response and professional handling of the situation.
“American Airlines flight 2398 landed safely at DFW after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing,” the airline told CBS in a statement.
