Widebody; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft
Descending through 15;000 feet; we were called by the lead flight attendant. She told us that there was electrical smoke throughout the cabin. She said that it smelled like a 'toy electrical train smell'. It was especially evident around the mid galley. The flight attendant stationed at the mid galley area said that her nose and throat were irritated and felt a burning sensation when she breathed. The Captain turned off the galley power. We requested priority handling and an expedited approach to the runway. We requested the longest runway and told the flight attendants to call us if the smoke got worse. Upon landing; we were met by emergency vehicles. We taxied clear of the runway and called the lead flight attendant to determine if we needed to evacuate the aircraft. She said the smell had dissipated enough that we could proceed to the gate. We taxied to the gate and had maintenance meet the aircraft. The flight attendants gave a detailed briefing to maintenance personnel and the Captain made a logbook entry.
Air carrier First Officer reported the had a possible galley fire with smoke being detected in the cabin event. Flight crew landed at a nearby airport.