Passengers in a China Eastern Airlines flight from Lanzhou to Guiyang faced a frightening incident after a power bank caught fire as the aircraft was taxiing after landing.
According to eyewitness accounts posted on social media, the aircraft had already landed safely and was headed toward the terminal when a passenger just said, “Fire!”
Panic quickly spread through the plane as people began to panic when they saw smoke and flames coming from an overhead luggage compartment in the passenger section of the plane and people ran to the exit as they heard the plane fly off the plane.
Cabin crew were quick to respond when they got the call, and they got help from passengers on board.
Airport emergency services, including fire trucks, arrived on the ramp soon after to make sure the situation was well under control.
Fortunately, the fire broke out after the aircraft had landed and emergency services were able to get on the plane in a very short time.
No serious injuries have been reported but the incident is understandable to passengers.
Early reports say there may have been a portable power bank stored in the overhead compartment that could have been the cause of the fire.
While officials are still waiting to complete a final report from the investigation, aviation experts say lithium-ion batteries can overheat, short-circuit or reach a dangerous condition called "thermal runaway."
Thermal runaway is a chain reaction in which a damaged or defective lithium battery rapidly generates heat, potentially causing smoke, fire, or even explosions. Airlines globally have imposed strict regulations on the transportation of power banks and spare lithium batteries.
Most airlines require passengers to carry spare lithium batteries and power banks in their cabin baggage rather than checked luggage.
China Eastern flight, Lanzhou to Guiyang this morning. Plane had already landed and was taxiing when someone in front starts screaming “Fire!” and running. People look up... overhead bin is on fire.. Crew and passengers trying to deal with it, then the fire trucks show up on the… pic.twitter.com/4NZ191EaZs
— Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) July 24, 2026
The majority of airlines also recommend that power banks be kept in easy reach under the seat or in the seat pocket instead of being stored in overhead baggage where overheating may go unnoticed until smoke starts to catch.
Airlines also limit the number of portable chargers that passengers can carry onboard. Travelers are advised to check airline-specific rules before flying, because there are different restrictions based on battery watt-hour ratings.
The latest incident is yet another reminder of the mounting challenge of lithium battery devices during air travel.
Similar incidents have been reported globally over the past few years and aviation authorities have since reinforced safety guidance and advised passengers to use only certified power banks from reputable manufacturers.
Experts tell us to avoid damaged batteries, prevent physical impacts to portable chargers, and never use swollen or overheating devices.
If a battery starts smoking or emitting unusual heat, you should immediately alert crew members on a flight rather than hiding or moving the device.
The accident ended safely but aviation experts say knowledge of and implementation of airline safety rules is the best protection against battery fires on a plane.
With portable electronic devices becoming more common, safe handling of lithium batteries is vital to the safety of passengers on every flight.
