Probe Into Virgin Flight Continues

THE Australian Federal Police (AFP) are continuing to investigate how an oven on a Virgin Blue plane spewed smoke into the cabin.

Victoria Police established a crime scene on the plane when it arrived in Melbourne from Brisbane about 8.10am (AEDT) today, but later handed the case over to the AFP because airports are its jurisdiction.

Smoke began to be noticed in the plane, which had 160 passengers on board, from shortly before 8am.

Paramedics attended to six people, including some cabin staff, who were concerned about being exposed to the smoke.

Paramedic Steven Linham said their clothing smelt of smoke but they weren’t having any breathing problems.

“After they were fully assessed by paramedics they didn’t need any further treatment so our crews cleared,” Mr Linham said.

Virgin Blue spokeswoman Fiona Sugden said the smell of smoke was coming from a galley oven.

“They (crew) could smell smoke and they quickly determined it was coming from an oven,” Ms Sugden said.

“They are yet to determine what happened with the oven.”