British Airways plane catches fire on Las Vegas runway (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
A dark plume of smoke from Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport could be seen from across the city late this afternoon after a British Airways jet caught fire on the runway.
At approximately 4:15 p.m. PST today, the engine of a Boeing 777 caught fire while the aircraft was preparing to take off. It prompted onboard flight crew to initiate an emergency evacuation of the flight.
According to The Guardian, a total of 172 people were on board the jet, including 13 crew members. Two people incurred minor injuries from the incident, which reportedly began with an explosion. The flight was bound for Gatwick Airport in London.
Airport officials have tweeted that firefighters stationed at the airport were able to extinguish the blaze quickly. Flights leaving the airport can expect up to one hour in delays this evening.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is pending.
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Just landed in Las Vegas, plane is on fire. People were on boaard but it looks like they all got off in time. pic.twitter.com/0AN5HvBB5G
— Eric Hays (@ericmhays) September 8, 2015
That time you hear an explosion and your flight crew freaks out. It’s because this #britishairways plane 100ft behind my plane decided to retire today. Everyone is ok, FYI. #lasvegasairport #lasvegas A photo posted by Dillan Howell (@dillanhowell) on
Flying into or out of #LasVegas? This might cause some delays… http://t.co/X3M1keQ9IG pic.twitter.com/LBcGt2H0Ns
— Jerry Doyle (@jerrydoyle) September 9, 2015
BREAKING: Horror as British Airways jet carrying hundreds catches fire while taking off http://t.co/JNGPAGvnIC pic.twitter.com/a7Tt0JrfOW — Daily Express (@Daily_Express) September 9, 2015
Scary start to #ctia #vegas #mccarran #airplane #fire, this is why our #flight had to pull up while landing pic.twitter.com/dQKl0AJWg0
— kent winter (@apexkent) September 9, 2015
Overhead view of BA plane that aborted takeoff at McCarran because of fire. Two minor injuries. @News3LV pic.twitter.com/FwRfLtr0O5 — Tom Hawley (@TomNews3LV) September 9, 2015
#BREAKING – British Airways plane catches fire. Two people taken to hospital. #8NN http://t.co/92w6LBkWIl pic.twitter.com/Y28ZDmMsYi
— 8 News NOW (@8NewsNow) September 8, 2015
Scary start to #ctia #vegas #mccarran #airplane #fire, this is why our #flight had to pull up while landing pic.twitter.com/dQKl0AJWg0 — kent winter (@apexkent) September 9, 2015
Smoke from a plane fire at Las Vegas’ Mccarran International Airport via http://t.co/uvnsIOl57W #FailingTheHonest pic.twitter.com/TsXcggq1vG
— CodeAndCommand (@CodeAndCommand) September 9, 2015
Im in #lasvegas and a plane is on fire. Smoke all over the airport #vegas #fire pic.twitter.com/aXJEddzaT5 — Matt Friedrichs (@FriedrichsMatt) September 8, 2015
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