Yikes! Backpack Catches Fire At SJ Airport Boarding Gate

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – A backpack that caught on fire near a boarding gate at Mineta San Jose International Airport was quickly extinguished Wednesday evening, an airport spokeswoman said today.

The backpack belonged to a passenger waiting near Gate 22 at Terminal B and caught fire around 6 p.m., airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes said.

Firefighters, police officers and airport operations staff responded to the area and quickly put out the flames with a nearby extinguisher, Barnes said.

Fire crews determined the blaze started with a reaction between the passenger's AA batteries and copper jewelry in the backpack, Barnes said.

No injuries were reported, she said.

• Also see: Flight From SFO Diverted After Crew Falls Ill

--Bay City News/File image via San Jose International Airport (SJC)