B737 flight crew reported a passenger's vape pen experienced a spontaneous combustion event that resulted in sparks and smoke coming from the passenger's backpack that contained the item. The FAs immediately initiated a jetway evacuation while the flight deck notified airport personnel and secured the aircraft before also evacuating.

Date: 2024-09 · Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing · Phase: ground

Anomalies: flight-deck-cabin-aircraft-event-smoke-fire-fumes-odor

Synopsis

Narrative

While parked at the gate; pre-flight; during boarding; a passenger in [their] seat; their vape pen battery caught on fire. The vape pen was inside the passenger's backpack; which was stowed under the seat in front of them. Our flight attendants witnessed sparks and smoke coming from the backpack; with smoke in the cabin; they immediately initiated a jetway evacuation" through the main cabin door; 1L. The vape pen owner/passenger grabbed his smoking backpack and ran off the plane into the terminal. The flight crew called both ATC Ground Control; and Ramp Control to request Airport Fire and Rescue. We then secured the airplane; shut off the APU; hydraulics; and electrical system; and then assisted with the evacuation. None of the aircraft's emergency escape slides were needed or used. After determining that all passengers had left the aircraft; the crew also left the airplane through the jetway. The fire crews began arriving at that time. While coordinating with Airport Fire & Rescue; a Fire Crewman; asked me how many passengers were onboard; prior to evacuation? I had to say that I didn't have that information; as we didn't have our "Final Weight Manifest" yet. After determining that there was no further fire detected; fire crews; and maintenance personnel inspected the aircraft and noted that there was no damage to the aircraft; or cabin. While I have your attention; I feel it is important to point out that flight crews do not have a "souls on board" count until the "Final Weight Manifest" is generated by Load Planning. This is usually shortly after the gate close out; but depending on the baggage/cargo report to Load Planning; or any other calculation issues; we may not receive the souls on board count until we are just prior to takeoff; at the runway. If today's scenario had happened after pushback or during taxi; we would have likely evacuated onto the taxiways. Under the current "Final Weight Manifest" process; the crew may not have had an accurate souls on board count to report to Airport Fire and Rescue. My "suggested resolution" would be to get that passenger/souls on board count to the crew sooner; maybe immediately after gate close-out; with all reports."

Second reporter narrative

The aircraft was parked at the gate with the main cabin door open when the flight attendants notified the Captain and I of a fire on the aircraft. The flight attendants announced for the passengers to leave their bags and evacuate via the jet bridge. I contacted ZZZ Ground Control on the radio to inform them we had a fire on board the aircraft and were evacuating. I did the same with the Ramp Controller. Although we did not have fire indications in the cockpit the Captain and I elected to shut off the APU and disconnect battery power from the aircraft before assisting with the evacuation.As I left the flight deck I could see and smell smoke in the cabin. While passengers were moving off the aircraft and back into the terminal I went down to the Ramp to inform the ramp personnel of our situation and to move away from the aircraft. Authorities arrived at the aircraft first followed by Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) and other representatives. We learned from the flight attendants that a passenger's vape pen had malfunctioned while stored in their carry-on bag and had caught fire.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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