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.
Passengers on landing planes grabbed dramatic photos of a fire that engulfed a British Airways Boeing 777 at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon.
Scroll down to see video and photos posted on social media.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the plane's left engine caught fire Tuesday afternoon. A plume of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky but firefighters quickly doused the aircraft with fire retardant.
The incident happened shortly after 4 p.m. (PT) on Flight 2276, a plane that was bound for London. The fire was put out by 4:22 p.m., according to airport officials.
Airport officials said 159 passengers and 13 crew members were evacuated by emergency slides. Two people were transported with minor injuries, according to reports.
There was no immediate word on what caused the fire.
One of the airport's four runways was closed after the incident.
The Boeing 777-200 was bound for Gatwick Airport near London.
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