A British Airways jet has caught fire at Las Vegas airport, sending smoke billowing into the air, after suffering what the pilot described as a “catastrophic failure” of the left engine. The plane – a Boeing 777 heading from the US city’s McCarran airport to London Gatwick – could be seen with flames around its fuselage.

There were 159 passengers and 13 crew on board. Seven people were treated for minor injuries as a result of the fire, which was swiftly put out by around 50 firefighters. The plane’s take-off had been aborted shortly before the fire broke out. TheFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Boeing’s 777 left engine burst into flames. Passengers were evacuated via inflatable slides.

Some had cuts and bruises from the slides, and at least one person was taken from the airport by paramedics, although none were thought to be seriously hurt. Dramatic images of flight BA2276 were shared on social media by members of the public at the airport, which is five miles south of downtown Las Vegas.

Guardian reporter Jacob Steinberg was on the plane and tweeted about the evacuation: “Just evacuated on a British Airways flight at Las Vegas airport after an engine caught fire. Don’t think anyone hurt.

Photograph: Jacob Steinberg

photograph : www.nbcnews.com

pic by : indianexpress.com

Passengers from the stricken BA2276 were being taken to the Orleans hotel, near the Las Vegas strip. Steinberg said many were shaking the hand of the pilot, who “looked pretty shook up”. The aircraft model was identified as a 275-seat B777-200, a long-range twin jet which operates on longhaul routes for BA, one of the world’s largest operators of the type.

A spokeswoman for British Airways said safety was the airline’s priority and the airline was looking after customers affected by the incident. Boeing said it was “aware of the incident at McCarran airport in Las Vegas”, adding: “Our teams are currently gathering more information.”

News : The Guardian