United plane lands in San Diego after device on board catches fire

SAN DIEGO – The plane was scheduled to return to San Diego International Airport on Tuesday after a device caught fire on board.

The San Diego Fire Department said an external battery caught fire in the cabin, but the flight crew stopped it from spreading by putting a fire bag on it.

Authorities said all passengers and crew had undergone medical examinations. Four people were taken to UCSD Hillcrest.

“United Airlines Flight 2664 took off from San Diego International Airport for Newark this morning,” a spokesman for the airline told FOX. “Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft declared alarm 2, indicating a serious problem with the aircraft, in this case an electrical device caught fire in the cabin.”

“The aircraft landed safely at San Diego International Airport, where emergency crews responded to the aircraft and provided assistance to passengers. No other operations were affected,” the statement said.

“SDFD crews at SD International Airport regarding an aircraft that arrived with an external battery caught fire in the cabin,” the San Diego Fire Department tweeted. “The flight crew prevented the fire from spreading to the cockpit. Two patients have been taken to the hospital, and several more people are being examined.”

Television station FOX has reached out to United Airlines for comment.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, spare (unidentified) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries cannot be placed in checked baggage and must be placed in carry-on baggage.

This story is evolving. Stay tuned.