Fire Onboard Virgin Australia Flight Triggered by Exploding Vape During Approach to Melbourne

A Virgin Australia flight approaching Melbourne Airport experienced a cabin fire on Sunday afternoon after a vape device exploded mid‑descent, prompting an immediate response from the crew and temporary delays to airport traffic. The incident occurred on flight VA328 from Brisbane at around 4:30pm, just minutes before landing.

Passengers reported a sudden flash and smoke after a vape overheated and burst into flames. Cabin crew acted quickly, extinguishing the fire and placing the damaged device into a fireproof containment bag, preventing further risk to passengers or the aircraft.

As the crew completed safety checks and ensured the cabin was fully secure, the pilots broke off their initial landing approach and entered a holding pattern. Other aircraft were also placed in holding patterns as a precaution while emergency protocols were carried out.

Once the cabin was confirmed safe, VA328 returned for a second approach and landed without further issues. Emergency services met the aircraft on arrival, though no injuries were reported and the fire had already been fully contained by the crew.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about lithium‑ion batteries used in vapes and other personal electronic devices. These batteries can overheat or explode when damaged or improperly handled, posing a significant hazard in the confined environment of an aircraft cabin.