Vape fire incident on Virgin Australia flight VA328 to Melbourne triggers emergency response

Consensus Summary

A Virgin Australia flight VA328 from Brisbane to Melbourne experienced a vape-related fire on Sunday afternoon, prompting a PAN call and emergency response. Smoke or vapor from a vape device activated in the cabin during descent triggered the incident, with firefighters following the aircraft to the gate after a safe landing. The event underscores growing concerns about lithium battery risks in portable electronic devices, including vapes and power banks, which have led airlines like Virgin Australia and Qantas to tighten storage policies. Experts warn that vape batteries, often of lower quality and lacking safety features, pose a higher fire risk than power banks, with potential for thermal runaway, explosions, or toxic gas release. While all sources agree on the core event and safety measures, minor discrepancies exist in timing details and specific descriptions of the vape’s activation. The incident follows recent high-profile fires involving power banks on flights, raising broader awareness of battery safety in aviation.