British Airways Plane Catches Fire in Las Vegas

A British Airways plane bound for London on Tuesday caught fire at Las Vegas airport.

As a result, the 172 people on board were evacuated on emergency slides, BBC reports.

At least 13 people sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Reports state that the left engine of the Boeing 777-200 caught fire before take-off, and the plane was seen engulfed in flames and smoke. The fire was later put out.

The pilot subsequently told passengers that the fire was due to a “catastrophic failure of the engine.”

A reporter named Jacob Steinberg, who was on the flight, said “We looked out the window and for the first time saw smoke near the wing. We could smell it. It was like burning rubber – bitter and deeply unpleasant – and it was time to panic.”

An investigation into the fire is currently ongoing, after what many have described as “a lucky escape.”

Photo Credit: AP/BBC