Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Electronic Device
General Maintenance Action; General Work Refused
Human Factors
During boarding; ground personnel brought to our attention that a bag was smoking. Upon further inspection; the portable battery was smoking and burning the contents in the bag. During this time I was in the cockpit setting up the FMS and doing my pre departure duties. I never saw the bag. I was told about it from the Captain. He said the contents were disposed of and all electronics were out of the bag prior to putting it in the baggage compartment. Flight went on with no further incidents. Cause: The passenger did not remove the portable battery from the bag. Suggestions: I didn't think anything of the situation after it was resolved. After we got to the hotel; the Captain said if he had to do it over again; he would have called the Chief Pilot. I agreed.
CRJ-900 First Officer reported a smoking portable battery in passenger bag. Contents were disposed and all electronics were removed from bag. Uneventful flight completed.