Don't Let This Happen To You

A passenger wearing a personal air purifier around his neck got more than fresh air when the device malfunctioned, and caught fire about an hour into a flight from Houston to Portland, OR.

According to Continental Airlines spokeswoman Julie King, the incident occurred Friday on Flight 1065, which left Houston at 3:48 pm heading to Portland. The plane was diverted to Colorado Springs.

King added several seat cushions caught fire, and were immediately extinguished by flight attendants. In addition to the man wearing the Fresh Air Buddy, six other passengers sought medical treatment for minor injuries.

"Many people who are sensitive to air impurities or have severe allergies wear the devices when they travel," King said.

The Fresh Air Buddy is a battery-powered device worn around the neck. The company states the device filters air near the person wearing it.

The Boeing 737 jet carried 154 passengers and six crew members. After a delay of several hours, passengers were put on another plane that left  Colorado Springs around midnight, and arrived in Portland around 1:30 am PST Saturday morning.

FMI: www.continental.com