A Southwest Airlines flight departing from El Paso International Airport experienced an unexpected delay Wednesday when a passenger's phone appeared to ignite. The incident occurred while the plane was taxiing away from the gate, preparing for takeoff. According to reports, smoke and flames were observed coming from the device.
The flight crew immediately initiated safety protocols and returned the plane to the gate. Emergency services were alerted, but the fire was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported. Passengers were safely deplaned and rebooked on subsequent Southwest flights.
The exact cause of the phone's ignition remains under investigation. Authorities are looking into potential causes, including battery malfunction or damage to the device. Southwest Airlines has confirmed the incident and is cooperating with the investigation. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following airline safety guidelines regarding electronic devices.
Southwest Flight Returns to Gate After Phone Sparks Fire
A Southwest Airlines flight headed out of El Paso was forced to return to the gate on Wednesday. A passenger's cell phone reportedly caught fire while the plane was taxiing. No injuries were reported, and the situation was quickly handled by the flight crew. Passengers were rebooked on later flights.
Source: Read the original article at CBS