Air carrier flight crew reported a vape device exploded in a passenger carry-on bag during departure climb. The Flight Attendant use a Halon fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire and the flight returned to departure airport.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a vape device exploded in a passenger carry-on bag during departure climb. The Flight Attendant use a Halon fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire and the flight returned to departure airport.
Narrative
Approaching Top of Climb; at approximately 31;000 ft.; we received four chimes from Flight Attendants. A Passenger vape device had exploded in their carry-on bag (beneath the seat by their feet). The explosion destroyed the vape device and briefly caught the bag on fire. By the time Flight Attendants (FA) could respond; the fire had basically extinguished leaving behind smoke and fumes; which dissipated within five minutes from the Passenger cabin. The FAs used one halon fire extinguisher to ensure the fire was extinguished. Meanwhile we [requested priority handling] and initiated a return to ZZZ airport. Although QRC/QRH Checklists were initiated; we suspended them due to the situation being contained. Return to ZZZ was uneventful with routine Diversion Checklist and coordination with ATC. Approaching ZZZ; we terminated the inflight [priority handling request]. Upon arrival; we taxied to a gate; deplaned the Passengers; and had EMS check out the Passenger involved (who was not injured; but emotionally shaken up). I then conducted the prescribed after-action steps.
Second reporter narrative
On climbout; at approximately 28;500 ft.; we received four chimes from the FAs (Flight Attendants). Captain; who was PM (Pilot Monitoring); talked to them immediately; and I listened in. FAs notified that a Passenger vape pen had exploded under a seat on the FOs (First Officer) side of the aircraft; and there was smoke in the cabin. After gaining more information from the FAs; for about a minute or two; we had enough time to speak briefly; where I confirmed we needed to coordinate an [priority] return to ZZZ. I immediately worked with ZZZ Center to return to ZZZ for [Runway] XXL as a [priority] aircraft and notified ZZZ of the report of smoke in the cabin. I flew and worked the radios while this occurred. Captain worked with the back and prepared to look for a checklist to run. As he was doing that; FAs called back; informing that the situation was contained and the smoke was dissipating. He further confirmed that was the case; and we continued coordinating and setting up to return to ZZZ. By the time we were getting close to the airport; things were pretty much back to normal; so we worked some small vectors to create time and finish setting up for a visual approach. On a downwind vector; Captain informed ATC we could cancel the [priority handling request] and wouldn't need fire trucks ready at the runway. We landed normally from there and taxied to the gate. Fire trucks were still nearby in the gate area; and Medical Personnel did end up coming on board to check with the Passenger whose vape pen it was; because he was pretty shaken by the events.Suggestions: this was an unfortunate occurrence from the risk of having to transport battery operated objects. I though the Cabin Crew did a tremendous job; and I also felt like we did well coordinating the return.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.