A Passenger’s Carry On Bag Ignites at Airport Security Checkpoint

CHARLESTON, WV – According to an online report at therepublic.com, local authorities at an airport in West Virginia has indicated that a passenger’s carry-on bag caught on fire while it was passing through a security checkpoint.*

A passenger’s bag caught on fire as it was going through a security checkpoint at a West Virginia airport. At Yeager Airport in Charlestown, West Virginia, two lithium ion batteries that were part of a charger in a passenger’s bag caused a small explosion earlier this week.  The airport was able to put out the flames, and no one was injured.  There were also no flight delays caused by the incident. 

According to the airport’s director, he notes that passengers should read through the Transportation Security Administration’s regulations regarding what are prohibited and regulated items prior to flying.  

According to a news release issued by the West Virginia airport, lithium batteries with over one hundred watt hours are permitted to be placed into a carry-on bag with approval from the specific airline.  However, only two spare lithium batteries are allowed per passenger.  Loose lithium batteries cannot be placed in checked bags. 

Across the nation, lithium battery fires have become the subject of increasing scrutiny due to the fact that there have been several instances of battery fires, especially in vape pens and certain electric vehicles.  Most fires and explosions that occur related to the issue of short circuiting.  This occurs when the separator in the battery, made of plastic, fails and allows the cathode and anode to touch.  Once this occurs, the battery is prone to overheating, which could ultimately result in a fire or explosion.

Accident News is a driver safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Source:http://www.therepublic.com/2019/06/12/us-carry-on-bag-fire/