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Passengers & crew safe after British Airways plane catches fire

Social media is abuzz with travellers sharing images of a British Airways Boeing 777-200 which caught fire before taking off in Las Vegas this week.

Social media is abuzz with travellers sharing images of a British Airways Boeing 777-200 which caught fire before taking off in Las Vegas this week.

Flight 2276 was preparing to take off from Sin City’s McCarran International Airport when passengers noticed smoke coming up through the windows.

Media is reporting that the London-bound aircraft started shooting flames from the side of the jet while black and orange flames engulfed the aircraft.

An onlooker at the airport, Reggie Bügmüncher, said she was waiting at her gate when she heard fellow travellers moving towards the window in a state of shock.

She looked over herself to see ‘burst of flames coming out of the middle of the plane’.

“Everyone ran to the windows and people were standing on their chairs, looking out, holding their breath with their hands over their mouths.”

Reggie Bügmüncher

Reggie said she saw the emergency slides were deployed, allowing all 159 passengers and 13 crew members to slide to safety. Fire officials on the scene say everyone managed to get off the aircraft and only 14 people were taken to the local hospital for injuries received while sliding down the inflatable chutes.

The traveller continued, saying that from her position the evacuation seemed a ‘bit more orderly’ than she expected considering the nature of the incident.

Fire officials were called to the scene and according to AP, it took some 50 firefighters to douse the aircraft and put out the fire.

In a statement to KarryOn, British Airways said the aircraft experienced a technical issue while preparing to take-off.

The airline assured all passengers and crew had evacuated safely and hotel accommodation has been provided for all customers. Additionally, British Airways staff is available to help passengers with anything further.

“The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority, and we are looking after those who were on board the BA2276 from Las Vegas to London Gatwick following an incident.”

“Our crew evacuated the aircraft safely and the fire was quickly extinguished by the emergency services at the airport.”

British Airways

“All customers have been provided with hotel accommodation, and our colleagues are helping them with anything further they require.”

Friends or family with any concerns can call +800 1360 7012.

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