At least 10 passengers on a Spirit Airlines flight from Dallas to Orlando were taken to hospital after a battery fire forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Jacksonville on Wednesday, authorities said.
Firefighters responded to Jacksonville International Airport Wednesday afternoon for reports of smoke in the cabin of an aircraft, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Capt. Eric Prosswimmer said.
A battery ignited in an overhead compartment, but crew members and passengers, including a retired firefighter, were able to turn it off before firefighters arrived, he said.
«They did a phenomenal job,» Prosswimmer said.
At least 10 people were taken to multiple hospitals, including passengers and crew members, he said. All were in non-life-threatening conditions.
In photos shared on social media, smoke could be seen filling the cabin of a plane.
The airline said Spirit Flight 259 had taken off from Dallas shortly after 2 p.m. local time and had to land at Jacksonville International Airport shortly after 3:50 p.m. due to a battery fire that started in an upper compartment, an NBC affiliate. WTLV in Jacksonville reported.
Spirit said a guest’s personal item had started the fire. The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.
A person who said they were on the plane when the emergency unfolded described how passengers and crew members managed to put out the fire.
“There was a retired firefighter who jumped out and the flight crew came in and they tried to pour water on him and another guy went to get a bucket because I think the firefighter reached in and grabbed it and they turned it off, but it took about 20 minutes,” Kerri said. Arakawa, according to WTLV.
“The pilot took us out of the air very quickly. He was exciting and had a very soft landing of all things, but it was pretty scary for a while until we knew we were on the ground and safe.» Arakawa said.
The FAA will investigate the incident, WTLV reported.
claudia johnson contributed.