British Airways flight catches fire on Las Vegas runway

LAS VEGAS -- An engine on a British Airways jet caught fire while the plane was preparing to take off from Las Vegas, forcing passengers to escape on emergency slides.


Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the plane's left engine caught fire Tuesday afternoon. Billowing black smoke and orange flames could be seen pouring from the plane's wings before about 50 firefighters quickly doused the aircraft.

McCarran International Airport spokesman Chris Jones says the 159 passengers and 13 crew members on the British Airways flight had gotten off the plane. The airport reported via its official Twitter account that two passengers were taken to a hospital for minor injuries. The airport reported one runway was shut down, but operations continued at its other three runways.


Clark County Deputy Fire Chief Jon Klassen says the cause of the fire isn't clear yet. He says it didn't appear to breach the cabin.

The Boeing 777-200 was bound for Gatwick Airport near London.