UPDATED 2:49 a.m. PT
As temperatures eclipsed 100 degrees Tuesday in Las Vegas, there was even more heat on the runway of McCarran Airport when a British Airways plane bound for London burst into flames on the tarmac. The blaze alarmed nearby passengers and set social media on fire.
Just landed in Las Vegas, plane is on fire. People were on boaard but it looks like they all got off in time. pic.twitter.com/0AN5HvBB5G— Eric Hays (@ericmhays) September 8, 2015
Plane just exploded outside my work pic.twitter.com/kgwYlR6449— CapandFree (@CapandFree) September 8, 2015
Las Vegas Airport. Plane caught on fire on landing. pic.twitter.com/18I5j57yd3— Kacie Nice (@kacienice) September 8, 2015
British Airways plane on fire at #LAS Vegas airport @cnn @cnnbrk pic.twitter.com/0ogixuYSqX— George (@Gyleong) September 8, 2015
A statement tweeted by the airport said that all crew and passengers were off the the 275-seat Boeing 777-200 at the time of the fire. At least 14 people were sent to a hospital for evaluation. Most of the injuries, officials say, happened during the passengers' escape down the emergency slides. At one point, 159 passengers and 13 crew were aboard the British Airways outbound flight 2276, according to the airport.
From Clark co. Spokesperson: "...there have been 14 people transported by ambulance to Sunrise Hospital for evaluation of minor injuries..."— NBC KSNV News 3 (@News3LV) September 9, 2015
From Clark Co Spokesperson: "The majority of the injuries occurred as people were sliding down the inflatable chutes" pic.twitter.com/Q3uqI97Gyx— NBC KSNV News 3 (@News3LV) September 9, 2015
A British Airways letter to passengers has been circulating on social media. In it, the airlines apologizes and promises to provide support to those involved.
"After an incident like this, the authorities take over. They need to collect as much information as they can to help support any future investigation. Of course, if you have an injury, we will arrange medical assistance for you immediately."
An apology letter from BA. It's 9.45pm in Las Vegas and we have just heard from a beleaguered tour guide. pic.twitter.com/eaLvk8l0Ws— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) September 9, 2015
The airline also released an official statement on Wednesday morning about the incident as well as emergency numbers for relatives.
The aircraft, a 777-200 experienced a technical issue as it was preparing for take-off from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas
Our crew evacuated the aircraft safely and the fire was quickly extinguished by the emergency services at the airport.
157 customers were on board the flight, along with three pilots and 10 cabin crew.
A small number of customers and our crew have been taken to hospital.
All customers have been provided with hotel accommodation, and our colleagues are helping them with anything further they require.
One runway was also out of service due to the fire, but was reopened later Tuesday evening.
UPDATE 8:23 PM -- Runway 7L @LASairport has been cleared by FAA and is expected to open later tonight. Alert was terminated at 8:14 PM.— McCarran Airport (@LASairport) September 9, 2015
While mostly smoke was visible from the airport waiting area, some photos from passengers on other planes did happen to capture flames.
Im in #lasvegas and a plane is on fire. Smoke all over the airport #vegas #fire pic.twitter.com/aXJEddzaT5— Matt Friedrichs (@FriedrichsMatt) September 8, 2015
This plane just exploded on the runway here in #lasvegas holy fuck there's people running everywhere now. A photo posted by Reggie Bügmüncher (@reggiefaer) on Sep 8, 2015 at 4:16pm PDT
Plane on fire on LAS runway! @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/iQiHzV22Bq— Bradley Hampton (@Bradley_Hampton) September 8, 2015
The fire was put out quickly.
Flames out. Firefighters quick to respond. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/Ma0GdJQneA— Bradley Hampton (@Bradley_Hampton) September 8, 2015
@CarloCBS8 British airways flight caught fire Las Vegas airport pic.twitter.com/qOXthgDiXI— Chris Fairchild (@cw_Fairchild) September 8, 2015
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Updates:
6:25 p.m. PT: Injury count
9:57 p.m. PT: British Airways apology