Fire breaks out mid-air on Virgin Australia flight from Sydney

A fire erupted mid-air on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney, leaving the cabin filled with smoke.

This is the horrifying moment a fire erupted mid-air on a Virgin Australia flight bound for Tasmania.

Flight VA158, which departed from Sydney on Monday morning, had begun its descent into Hobart just after 9am when smoke began filling the cabin of the Boeing 737-8FE.

According to witnesses on board, the crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery engulfed in flames.

Smoke was seen filling the cabin on a Virgin flight yesterday morning. Picture: Pulse Tasmania

Footage of the incident shows passengers scrambling to the back of the plane as a distressed flight attendant yells: “All the way down to the back guys, keep moving, quicker.”

Another clip shows passengers passing bottles of water to a crew member as they attempt to contain the blaze.

Witnesses reveal that cabin crew were eventually able to extinguish the fire successfully with water bottles after initial attempts with on-board fire extinguishes were unsuccessful.

According to Pulse Tasmania, passengers described a moment of panic and were told not to film the incident by staff.

Once the flight had safely landed in Hobart, Airservices Australia firefighters boarded the plane and removed the bag containing the battery.

Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker told Pulse that one person had received medical attention by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation.

“The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,” he said.

In a statement to news.com.au, Virgin ensured flight and cabin crew were checked over by paramedics as a precaution and subsequently cleared.

Passengers helped extinguish the flames with water bottles. Picture: Pulse Tasmania

“VA1528 from Sydney to Hobart landed safely at Hobart Airport yesterday (Monday) following a fire in an overhead locker during descent.

“The fire was extinguished by Virgin Australia cabin crew prior to landing. Airservices Australia firefighters attended the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker. All guests disembarked the aircraft, as per standard operating procedures.

“Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,” they said.

Initial efforts to extinguish the blaze with a fire extinguisher were unsuccessful. Picture: Pulse Tasmania

A replacement aircraft was sourced for the return flight for Sydney and Virgin’s guest contact centre is in the process of checking in with guests seated in the surrounding rows.

The incident comes after a passenger plane in South Korea caught fire earlier this year, leaving three people with minor injuries.

Local authorities believe a portable power bank likely caused the fire that destroyed the plane.