Power Bank Fire Injures Man in Qantas Lounge

A man in his 50s suffered burns to his fingers and leg when a lithium power bank in his pocket ignited inside the Qantas International Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport on Thursday, November 6. The incident, which occurred around 11 a.m. local time, prompted the evacuation of approximately 150 people and forced the lounge to close for two hours while emergency services responded.

Witnesses described hearing screams as the device overheated and burst into flames, filling the lounge with acrid smoke and a strong odor. One traveler, who shared an account on social media, said the explosion sent battery acid flying and caused the man's jacket to catch fire. "They evacuated us because the smoke and smell was so strong, but I really just hope the guy is okay," the traveler wrote. Australian filmmaker Leanne Tonkes, who was in the lounge at the time, posted on Instagram about the chaos, praising the rapid response. "Quick thinking from the man who jumped in to help and the staff who got him in the shower and everyone else out of the lounge," she wrote, alongside a photo showing the charred remains of the power bank on the floor, surrounded by wet floor signs and black ash.