Passengers aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 3316 at Denver International Airport faced a terrifying ordeal Friday morning when a cellphone battery caught fire inside the cabin.
The flight, bound for Houston, was still on the ground when the incident occurred.
Chaos Erupts After Cellphone Battery Ignites
The fire broke out unexpectedly as the Boeing 737 prepared for takeoff.
A passenger’s cellphone, believed to be a Samsung model, began to overheat before catching fire and emitting acrid smoke.
Witnesses said the smoke spread rapidly through the cabin, causing alarm and confusion among passengers seated in the rear.
Shouts of "Fire!" echoed through the plane, with people standing up and trying to see what was happening.
The phone’s owner, a woman near the back, suffered burns on her hand while trying to handle the device.
Although no other passengers sustained serious injuries, the panic and urgency of the situation created chaos onboard.
Passengers Evacuate Using Emergency Protocols
The crew acted quickly to initiate an evacuation, with passengers near the rear exiting via emergency slides and those in the front using the jet bridge.
The order to “Cross your arms and jump” was repeated as passengers slid down to safety on the tarmac.
For many, the experience of using the slides in an emergency was harrowing but necessary.
To expedite the evacuation process, flight attendants urged passengers to leave their possessions behind while attempting to remain composed in the midst of the commotion.
Still, some passengers—like Jaquetta Anderson—faced more difficulties.
Her refusal to abandon her two pets behind increased the stress in the crowded cabin.
The evacuation was finished without any significant injuries despite the tension.
Crew Actions and Delayed Takeoff Prevent Disaster
The quick actions of the flight crew prevented the situation from escalating.
They successfully extinguished the seat fire caused by the phone, ensuring it did not spread further in the cabin.
Passengers later praised the crew’s professionalism, particularly their efforts to keep everyone informed and as calm as possible under the circumstances.
A delayed takeoff due to earlier technical issues turned out to be a stroke of luck.
Had the flight been airborne, the fire could have caused far more damage and endangered everyone onboard.
"That little delay we had really helped us," passenger Seth Anderson noted, highlighting how the situation could have been much worse if the fire occurred mid-air.
FAA Investigation and Airline Response
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into the incident, with a particular emphasis on the lithium-ion battery of the cellphone.
Airlines have been concerned about such batteries because of the possibility for fire, requiring safety precautions for transporting electronic gadgets on board.
Southwest Airlines quickly let travellers on another flight to Houston, where they landed three hours late.
The airline said in a statement that its crew and emergency responses were fast and efficient.
The business also underlined its dedication to passenger safety and showed relief that the result was not more serious.
