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Travelers were forced to evacuate after a man caught on fire in a business lounge at an airport in Australia<\/a> when a power bank ignited in his pocket.<\/p>\n The incident, which left the man with minor burns, took place Thursday in a business lounge for Qantas Airways at the busy Melbourne International Airport, the airport confirmed to NBC News.<\/p>\n Firefighters responded to the incident, with the lounge evacuated as a precaution, the airport confirmed.<\/p>\n Passengers reported panic as smoke emerged. <\/p>\n In a Reddit post<\/a>, one traveler said they \u201cheard screaming from the other side of the lounge\u201d and that the explosion of the device sent \u201cbattery acid flying everywhere.\u201d <\/p>\n “His jacket caught on fire. They evacuated us because the smoke and smell was so strong, but I really just hope the guy is okay,” the traveler added. <\/p>\n Local media reported that the man, who is in his 50s, was in stable condition at a hospital, after suffering the burns to his leg and fingers.<\/p>\n Qantas did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. <\/p>\n Australian filmmaker Leanne Tonkes, who was in the lounge at the time, posted about the incident on social media. <\/p>\n \u201cHoping the man who caught fire holding it is ok,\u201d she wrote in her Instagram post<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cQuick thinking from the man who jumped in to help and the staff who got him in the shower and everyone else out of the lounge,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n According to the Transport Security Administration (TSA)<\/a>, power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags. Spare lithium batteries, which include power banks, are not allowed in checked luggage. <\/p>\n Several of the world’s biggest airlines, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, prohibit the use of power banks on their flights. <\/p>\n In October 2025, an Air China flight made an emergency landing in Shanghai<\/a> after a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry on bag ignited. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n