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British Airways flight lands after cabin cellphone fire

Published 16 June 2026

A British Airways flight from London to Las Vegas landed safely on Monday after a cellphone caught fire in the cabin, scorching an interior panel and prompting a swift response from the crew. The incident occurred aboard Flight 271 as it was preparing to descend into Harry Reid International Airport.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a crew member reported the fire while the aircraft was en route. The flight continued to its destination, landing safely at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time on June 15. No injuries were reported, and all passengers disembarked normally.

Audio from air traffic control captured the pilot calmly informing the Las Vegas tower of the situation. The pilot stated the aircraft was on an emergency arrival due to a fire caused by a mobile phone, which had scorched the cabin interior but was under control. The pilot requested maximum assistance at the gate, specifically noting the need for wheelchairs and an orderly deplaning process to minimize panic.

Passenger accounts describe flames erupting from a window seat in row 37. Some travelers reportedly moved away from the area while others attempted to help before flight attendants arrived with...

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