Laptop fire on board airliner bound for New Jersey forces emergency landing in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (CNS) — A laptop battery caught fire in the cabin of a jetliner Tuesday on a flight from San Diego to New Jersey, forcing the plane to immediately return to Bayside Airport and leaving half a dozen people with complaints of smoke inhalation.

United Airlines Flight 2664 departed San Diego International Airport just after 7 a.m. and returned about a half hour later, the Federal Aviation Administration reported.

The flight crew was able to prevent the fire from spreading by placing the burning electronic device in a fireproof bag, according to the San Diego Fire Department.

After the Boeing 737 made a safe emergency landing in San Diego, paramedics examined six people who reported breathing problems due to smoke from the fire, the city authority reported. Four were taken to medical centers for further evaluation and treatment, while the other two declined hospital evaluations.

FAA staffers will investigate the mishap, according to the federal agency.

Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.