A man has caught fire at Melbourne international airport after a lithium power bank in his pocket ignited, leaving him with burns to his leg and fingers. The man, aged in his 50s, was in the Qantas business lounge on Thursday morning when the overheated power bank burst into flames, filling the exclusive area with smoke and prompting about 150 people to be evacuated. Staff quickly helped the man into a shower before paramedics arrived to treat his injuries. He was taken to hospital in a stable condition and later released. A witness said they saw battery acid flying everywhere, according to the Age newspaper. A Qantas spokesperson said the lounge was cleaned and re-opened two hours later. Australian film producer Leanne Tonkes was in the lounge on Thursday morning when she heard the commotion. She posted an image of the burnt power bank moments after it had exploded, hoping the man who caught fire holding it is ok. Qantas is currently reviewing its policy on passengers carrying any type of lithium batteries, including portable power banks, and is expected to provide an update shortly. Many airlines now advise passengers travelling with power banks to keep them within reach - either in their seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of them - and not in the overhead luggage compartment. In July, a fire broke out on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart, with a power bank in an overhead locker to blame. Several international airlines have banned the use and charging of power banks during flights and have set limits on how many rechargeable batteries passengers can carry based on their capacity.
Man Sustains Burns from Power Bank Fire at Melbourne Airport Lounge

Man Sustains Burns from Power Bank Fire at Melbourne Airport Lounge
A man was hospitalized after a lithium power bank exploded in the Qantas business lounge, prompting an evacuation of approximately 150 people.
A man aged in his 50s caught fire in a Melbourne airport lounge when a lithium power bank in his pocket ignited. Evacuated alongside 150 others, he was swiftly treated and released from the hospital. This incident raises concerns over the safety of lithium batteries, with airlines increasingly banning their use onboard.


















