British Airways plane with 172 on board catches fire on Las Vegas runway; 2 hurt

September 09, 2015 08:33

A London-bound British Airways plane caught fire while it was preparing to take off from Las Vegas with 172 people on board, leaving at least two injured.

The plane's left engine burst into flames on the runway at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas on Tuesday afternoon while it was about to depart for London's Gatwick Airport with 159 passengers and 13 crew members on board, according to the airport.

Heavy black smoke and orange flames could be seen pouring from under the plane's wings, sending passengers fleeing quickly from the aircraft and across the tarmac before about 50 firefighters doused the aircraft in minutes.

The airport reported on its official Twitter account that two passengers were taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

Fire officials said paramedics on the scene were also evaluating some passengers.

Firefighters stationed at the airport reached the plane two minutes after getting reports of flames and within another three minutes, everyone inside the plane had escaped.

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