Lithium Battery Fire in the Cabin or in the Cockpit

An A320 aircraft was in cruise at FL 300. The purser had just finished delivering beverages to the cockpit and was about to join a supernumerary flight attendant that was seated in the front galley. The four remaining cabin crew members were delivering meals to passengers, when some passengers started screaming in the front of the aircraft. A fire appeared to originate in the right overhead bin above the 5th row seats.

(fig.1) Location of the cabin crew members at the start of the event

The supernumerary flight attendant retrieved a fire extinguisher and fireproof gloves and initially took on the Firefighter role. Meanwhile, the purser took on the Communicator role and alerted the flight crew. Flight attendant 1 moved passengers away from the affected area and then took on the Assistant Firefighter role by collecting water and non-alcoholic liquids. Flight attendants 2, 3, and 4 moved the trolleys to the aft galley and managed passengers. Flight attendant 3 put on fireproof gloves from the aft galley and brought two additional fire extinguishers to the fire area. The Firefighter role then rotated between the supernumerary flight attendant and flight attendant 3.

The three extinguishers were used. The cabin crew then poured water and other non-alcoholic liquids on the remains of the backpack holding the affected device.

Meanwhile, the flight crew had initiated a diversion to a nearby airport. They made an announcement on the passenger address system that the cabin crew should prepare the cabin for landing. Some cabin crew members remained near the fire zone to continue pouring water on the device, while others prepared the cabin for landing. The flight crew then announced 5 minutes to landing, enabling all cabin crew members to prepare for landing. The aircraft safely landed and the passengers disembarked via stairs.

Analysis showed that a power bank from a passenger’s backpack, stored in the overhead bin, suffered a thermal runaway.

The cabin crew did not have the time to perform the storage procedure after extinguishing the fire due to the announcement from the flight crew that they were close to landing. 

During the firefighting procedure, some passengers tried to get involved in the procedure, disturbing the cabin crew members in their mission. Relocated passengers were standing in the aisle, preventing the cabin crew from easily retrieving firefighting equipment from the aft galley.

In the Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) 2025-03 published in May 2025, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) highlighted that the number of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) that passengers typically travel with, has increased to 4 or 5 items per passenger. This represents a significant exposure to the risk of a thermal runaway during flight. EASA strongly recommends carrying these lithium-battery-powered items, power banks, or e-cigarettes in the cabin so that the cabin crew can react quickly should a thermal runaway occur.

The SIB also recalls that it is essential to inform passengers about the risks of carrying lithium batteries or lithium-battery-powered devices, and about the limitations and restrictions that apply for their transportation and use onboard an aircraft. The document also highlights the essential need for cabin crews and flight crews to be trained and aware of the specificities of a lithium battery fire in order to timely and efficiently address it if it occurs in flight. 

In the case of internal degradation or damage, a battery cell rapidly releases its stored energy through a highly energetic venting reaction known as “thermal runaway.” This can generate smoke, flammable gas, heat (up to 600 °C and 1 500 °C locally), fire, explosion, or a spray of flammable liquids.

If one cell from a battery composed of several cells undergoes thermal runaway, it can damage adjacent cells and create a chain reaction that could lead to an explosion.

Conventional firefighting procedures and extinguishing agents are not sufficient to stop a lithium battery fire. A fire extinguisher can suppress open flames, but it is  not effective in addressing the source of the fire, which is the thermal runaway. Therefore, two steps are necessary to fight a lithium battery fire.

The first step is to fight the flames using a fire extinguisher.

After the flames are extinguished, the firefighter must concentrate their effort on cooling the battery using water or a non-alcoholic liquid. This will stop the thermal runaway and prevent propagation to adjacent battery cells, if any. The best solution is to immerse the device in water.

The “Lithium Battery Smoke/Fumes/Fire” and “Storage Procedure After a Lithium Battery Fire” cabin crew procedures were developed for managing lithium battery fires. These two “basic” procedures can be referred to by other procedures, such as the “PAX Seat Smoke/Fumes/Fire” and the “Overhead Bin Smoke/Fumes/Fire”, which may be applied if the affected device is located in a seat or in an overhead bin.

In any case, regardless of the type of fire, the firefighting roles defined in the CCOM “Definition and Description of Fire Fighting Roles” section must be followed.

The Firefighter role is assigned to the first crew member who discovers the fire. The Firefighter must:

• Alert other cabin crew members
• Retrieve the nearest fire extinguisher 
• Immediately locate the fire source
• Fight the fire

In the presence of smoke, the Firefighter should consider using Portable Breathing Equipment (PBE) before fighting the fire. Note that if there is no smoke or a limited quantity of smoke, the Firefighter may initially fight the fire to save time and be replaced by the Assistant Firefighter who may have put on a PBE in the case of an increase in smoke quantity.

The Communicator role is assigned to the second crew member to arrive on the scene. The Communicator must:

• Alert the flight crew about the fire event
• Provide information about the fire to the flight crew, such as the location, source, and severity of the fire as well as the presence of smoke and its effect on occupants
• Maintain communication with the flight crew, provide updates on the situation, such as the firefighting progress, the number of extinguishers used and the situation in the cabin (e.g. smoke, injuries, etc.).

The Assistant Firefighter role is assigned to the third crew member who arrives on the scene. The Assistant Firefighter must:

• Bring necessary additional firefighting equipment to the Firefighter
• Support and coordinate the firefighting effort
• Prevent fire propagation by ensuring that no flammable materials (fluids, gases, devices) are near the affected device
• Be prepared to exchange roles with the Firefighter

Other crew members must:

• Relocate passengers and keep them away from the affected area
• Reassure passengers
• Perform first-aid

When the cabin crew are able to identify that the source of smoke/fumes/fire is from a lithium battery, the following procedure should be applied.

The first step of the procedure is to unplug the device or switch off its power source, if applicable (fig.3). The use of fireproof gloves should also be considered, if available.

The Firefighter takes the fire extinguisher and discharges it at the base of the flames. Meanwhile, the Assistant Firefighter may collect additional firefighting equipment, if needed, and also water bottles or non-alcoholic liquids for the next step.

When the flames are extinguished, the Assistant Firefighter pours water or non-alcoholic liquids on the device to cool it. The Assistant Firefighter should take care during this step, as liquids may turn into steam when poured on the hot device.

If the cooled device can be moved, the cabin crew should apply the “Storage Procedure After a Lithium Battery Fire”. 
When the affected device is cooled but cannot be moved, a cabin crew member should be assigned to monitor it. As per the “Basic Firefighting Procedure”, regular reports must be made to the chief purser.

(fig.3) “Lithium Battery Smoke/Fumes/Fire” CCOM Procedure

This procedure can be performed after the “Lithium Battery Smoke/Fumes/Fire” procedure or the “Overhead Bin Smoke/Fumes/Fire” procedure.  The flight crew can also request that the procedure be initiated in the case of a lithium battery fire in the cockpit.
When the fire is contained and the device cooled, and if it can be safely moved, the cabin crew should apply the “Storage Procedure after a Lithium Battery Fire”. 

The Firefighter must put on fireproof gloves. 

Meanwhile, the Assistant Firefighter retrieves a receptacle and fills it with water or non-alcoholic liquid. 

The Firefighter carefully takes the device and immerses it in the receptacle.

(fig.4) “Storage Procedure after a Lithium Battery Fire” CCOM Procedure – part 1

The Assistant Firefighter transfers the receptacle to the nearest lavatory. The lavatory is proposed as it contains smoke detection means. It is a secured location for the device, away from the passengers, and it provides a waterproof floor designed to receive water in case of turbulent conditions.

The Assistant Firefighter should then set the lavatory containing the device as inoperative to prevent passengers from accessing it.

The lavatory containing the device must be regularly monitored for the remainder of the flight to ensure that the device remains immersed.

(fig.5) “Storage Procedure after a Lithium Battery Fire” CCOM Procedure – part 2

This procedure addresses the case where the fire or smoke comes from either:

• The In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system
• A passenger Portable Electronic Device (PED) in the seat pocket or seat stowage
• A PED trapped in the seat mechanism 
• A seat mounted battery

In the first case, the “Basic Firefighting” CCOM procedure applies. 
In the three other cases, the “Lithium Battery Smoke/Fumes/Fire” CCOM procedure must be applied.

It may not be easy to identify the type of fire occurring in the overhead bin (lithium battery fire or not). Therefore,  based on in-service events, the “Overhead Bin Smoke/Fumes/Fire” CCOM procedure assumes that a lithium battery-powered device may be the origin of the fire.

Standard firefighting roles must be applied. The Firefighter and Assistant Firefighter should always consider the use of PBE since smoke may be expected when opening the affected overhead bin. The use of fireproof gloves should also be considered, if available. The Firefighter must then retrieve a fire extinguisher. Meanwhile, the Assistant Firefighter should get water or non-alcoholic liquid, the Communicator should notify the flight crew of the fire, and the Support Crew Members should relocate passengers away from the fire location.

The Firefighter should use the back of their hand to check the heat of the overhead bin to determine the presence of fire and identify its approximate location.

The Firefighter should slightly open the overhead bin to prevent smoke from spreading into the cabin and introduce the nozzle of the fire extinguisher. The extinguisher must then be discharged.

The overhead bin can be closed and latched for a short time to let the extinguishing agent act. This sequence should be repeated as necessary with additional fire extinguishers until the flames are extinguished.

(fig.6) “Overhead Bin Smoke/Fumes/Fire” CCOM Procedure – part 1

When there are no more flames, the Firefighter must carefully open the overhead bin, try to identify the source of fire and remove nearby objects. If the source of fire cannot be easily located, the Firefighter should carefully empty the overhead bin to find it. As per the “Basic Firefighting procedure”, the Assistant Firefighter should be prepared to use the fire extinguisher in case flames reappear.

When the source of fire is located, the Firefighter must pour water or non-alcoholic liquid on it to cool it down.

When the source of fire is cooled down and can be safely moved, the “Storage Procedure after a Lithium Battery Fire” procedure should be applied. If it is not possible to move the affected device, it must be monitored.

(fig.7) “Overhead Bin Smoke/Fumes/Fire” CCOM Procedure – part 2

The majority of electronic flight bags, which are widely used by flight crews, contain lithium batteries as a primary source of power. Lithium batteries can also be present in the cockpit in laptops, tablets, cameras, mobile phones, or any PEDs.

The flight crew procedure to address a lithium battery fire in the cockpit was developed on the basis of key principles: Fly, navigate, communicate, with appropriate tasksharing. 

As mentioned in the procedure, if at any time of the application of the procedure, the smoke becomes the greatest threat, the flight crew should consider applying the “Removal of Smoke / Fumes” procedure.

Similarly, if the situation becomes unmanageable, the flight crew should consider an immediate landing. Depending on the situation, the captain can consider an overweight landing, a tailwind landing, ditching, or a forced landing. 

One pilot needs to continue flying the aircraft, while the second pilot addresses the detected fire. The Firefighter must be the flight crew member who is nearest the fire. As a consequence, a transfer of control may be necessary.

The flight crew must establish communication with the cabin to request them to initiate the “Storage Procedure After a Lithium Battery Fire” CCOM procedure.

If flames are present, the Pilot Flying (PF) should put on the oxygen mask and focus on flying the aircraft, while the Firefighter puts on the Portable Breathing Equipment (PBE) and starts fighting the fire.

(fig.8) “Smoke/Fire from Lithium Battery” FCOM/QRH Procedure – part 1

The Firefighter should use the fire extinguisher to extinguish any open flames.

If there are no flames or after the flames are extinguished, the device must be cooled down.

If it is not possible to remove the affected device from the cockpit, the Firefighter or the cabin crew assisting the flight crew should pour water or non-alcoholic liquid on the device to cool it down.

As stated in the FCTM, if the device is attached to a cable that cannot be easily disconnected, then it must be considered that the device is not removable from the cockpit, and water or non-alcoholic liquid must be poured on it.

If it is possible to move the device, the cabin crew assisting the Firefighter should transfer it to the cabin and apply the “Storage Procedure after a Lithium Battery Fire” procedure. In the case of a flight where no cabin crew is onboard (e.g. freighter aircraft or ferry flight), it is the duty of the Firefighter to perform the storage procedure themselves.

(fig.9) “Smoke/Fire from Lithium Battery” FCOM/QRH Procedure – part 2