A spokesman for the Dutch airline stated that the cause of the fire is still under investigation; however, noted that a passenger claimed that it was sparked by a lithium ion battery inside a traveler's bag.
Flight attendants used an on-board fire extinguisher to put out the blaze which occurred moments after the plane landed in Bangkok.
The KLM spokesman said the Boeing 777, carrying 321 passengers plus employees, was taxiing to its gate at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport after flying in from Amsterdam.
“There was a short fire on board in one of the overhead luggage compartments for hand luggage and our crew made sure that the fire was put out. After that all passengers and crew left the plane safely,” the spokesman said.
One of the passengers on flight KL875 recorded video as a flight attendant used a fire extinguisher to spray a smoldering bag as it sat on a seat in business class.
The passenger posted the video and photo on her Twitter account.
“Well done @KLM for calm management of cabin fire on flight KL875 caused by a battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage,” she tweeted.
The KLM crew is being hailed for extinguishing the fire and preventing injury to passengers and employees.