20th December 2025 – (Hong Kong) Multiple videos circulating on Threads show a power bank spontaneously igniting and exploding aboard a Thai AirAsia flight to Hokkaido, sending thick smoke through the cabin. One male passenger wrote that the flames “rose higher than the seat,” while a female traveller said the aircraft “smelled of burning petrol” and “everyone was coughing”. Footage shows several flight attendants using bottled water to extinguish the fire, which was ultimately brought under control.
In a post dated 13th December, a male passenger described panic on board: “A traveller’s power bank suddenly caught fire and exploded… the whole cabin filled with smoke and there were no extinguishers in sight. We thought we would die on this plane. Thankfully the flames were put out in the end.” Videos from the scene depict crew members repeatedly pouring water onto the device.
Another passenger recounted that the blaze erupted shortly after meal service began at cruising altitude, saying she witnessed flames “about half a person in height”. She added that she later heard a passenger had been using a power bank to charge during the flight and pleaded for “basic common sense” to avoid endangering others.
Thai AirAsia confirmed the incident involved flight FD242 from Taoyuan, Taiwan, to Sapporo, Japan, on 13 December. The airline said the fire occurred mid‑flight, was assessed as not compromising flight safety, and the aircraft landed on schedule. The passenger carrying the power bank sustained minor scalds; ground staff offered medical assistance upon arrival, but the traveller chose to continue their journey. The carrier urged customers to purchase compliant power banks.
Debate online focused on whether water is appropriate for lithium battery fires. Citing guidance from the Taipei City Fire Department, commentators noted that once a lithium battery enters thermal runaway it can generate intense heat, smoke, toxic gases and even explode, and may reignite. The department’s advice indicates that for rechargeable lithium‑ion batteries, water can be an effective extinguishing agent, including thoroughly drenching or submerging the device to cool it and prevent re‑ignition.
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