Southwest Airlines Las Vegas to Reno Flight Reports Fire in Cabin

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LAS VEGAS- Dallas-based carrier Southwest Airlines (WN) Flight 3077 executed an emergency landing at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) Wednesday evening (March 19, 2025) after the crew reported a laptop battery fire onboard.

The Boeing 737-800 departed from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and landed safely at approximately 10:05 p.m. local time.

Photo: Cado Photo

Southwest Airlines Cabin Fire

Upon arrival at the gate, the crew alerted authorities about the fire, necessitating immediate passenger evacuation. All 117 passengers exited the aircraft using the rear emergency slides and the front door.

“All 117 passengers on Southwest Airlines Flight WN3077 evacuated safely at Reno International Airport on Wednesday night after a passenger’s laptop battery caught fire during deplaning,” a Southwest Airlines spokesperson confirmed in an official statement.

Airport staff escorted passengers back into the terminal without further incident. The airline spokesperson noted, “Preliminary reports indicate the passenger whose laptop caught fire will seek treatment for burns, but no customers were injured during evacuation.”

Photo: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 | This was the first time … | Flickr

FAA reported,

Southwest Airlines Flight 3077 executed a safe landing at Reno/Tahoe International Airport at approximately 10:05 p.m. local time on Wednesday, March 19. After reaching the gate area, crew members reported a battery fire onboard the Boeing 737-800, which had departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Passengers evacuated the aircraft and were promptly escorted back to the terminal.

FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The aircraft remains out of service pending comprehensive maintenance checks and inspection.

“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees,” the spokesperson emphasized. “The incident remains under investigation.

In a separate occurrence just hours later, an air traffic controller at Orlando International Airport canceled takeoff clearance for Southwest Airlines Flight 3278 at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, March 20.

The cancellation came after the aircraft had begun its takeoff roll on a taxiway running parallel to the designated runway. The flight had been scheduled to travel to Albany International Airport in New York. No other aircraft were involved in the incident. The FAA has initiated an investigation into this occurrence as well.

ALSO READ: Air Busan Airbus A321 Catches Fire, All Crews and Passengers Evacuated

Hong Kong Airlines; Photo- Flickr

Similar Incident

A Hong Kong Airlines (HX) flight, HX115, from Hangzhou to Hong Kong (HKG), executed an emergency landing in Fuzhou (FOC), China, on Thursday, March 20, after a fire erupted in an overhead compartment. Passengers aboard the aircraft reported the blaze likely originated from a power bank.

Hong Kong Airlines confirmed the incident in an official statement: “Hong Kong Airlines flight HX115, departing from Hangzhou (HGH) to Hong Kong (HKG) today, diverted and landed safely in Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC) due to a fire in the overhead compartment, which was successfully extinguished.”

Hong Kong Airlines Uçağında Yangın

Hong Kong Airlines’ın #HX115 Hangzhou – Hong Kong uçuşunu gerçekleştiren B-LPC tescilli Airbus A320 uçağının kabininde yangın çıktı.

Mürettebatın hızlı müdahalesiyle yangın kontrol altına alınırken, uçak Fuzhou Changle Havalimanı’na acil iniş… pic.twitter.com/POq8OBMSuf

— HavaSosyalMedya (@HavaSosyalMedya) March 20, 2025

The airline has initiated support measures for affected passengers and crew members following the incident.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows the Airbus A320 aircraft departed Hangzhou at 12:20 PM and arrived in Fuzhou at 2:01 PM after the emergency diversion.

Social media posts from passengers documented frantic efforts to combat the flames. Video footage revealed passengers and cabin crew using water bottles and carton drinks to extinguish the fire, with liquid visibly dripping from the luggage racks.

Additional video captured the captain’s announcement to passengers, informing them of his awareness of the situation and declaring a “precautionary landing” in Fuzhou to ensure passenger safety.

The incident highlights growing concerns regarding lithium battery fires in aviation. Airlines worldwide face increasing challenges from power banks and similar devices, prompting aviation authorities to implement stricter regulations for transporting such items in both carry-on and checked luggage.

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