Feds launching investigation into Galaxy Note7 fire at SDF

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is opening an investigation into an incident at the Louisville International Airport in which a Samsung Galaxy Note7 phone caught fire, forcing the evacuation of 75 people on board a Southwest Airlines jet on Wednesday.

The CPSC recalled the Samsung Galaxy Note7 on September 15, amid reports the lithium-ion batteries in the devices were overheating and bursting, resulting in dangerous fires. At the time, the CPSC said Samsung had received 92 reports of the batteries overheating, including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage.

A spokesperson for Samsung sent the following statement to WAVE 3 News about whether the phone was a replacement:
"Until we are able to retrieve the device, we cannot confirm that this incident involves the new Note7. We are working with the authorities and Southwest now to recover the device and confirm the cause. Once we have examined the device we will have more information to share."

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Samsung is offering to replace the recalled phones or give customers a full refund. But Brian Green, the owner of the phone that caught fire on board the Southwest Airlines jet, said he had already turned in his recalled phone for a new one. Green, of New Albany, told WAVE 3 News his Samsung Galaxy Note7 was replaced in late September.

CPSC chairman Elliot Kaye is advising consumers to take the refund option offered by Samsung. Kaye believes that is the safest option until the CPSC investigation is complete.

In light of the fire concerns from the CPSC, the Federal Aviation Administration has been telling passengers not to turn on or charge the recalled Galaxy Note7 devices on board aircraft, and not to stow them in any checked baggage.

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