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BA plane fire: Flight 2276 passengers describe 'scary' 'mad dash' to evacuate burning aircraft BA plane fire: Flight 2276 passengers describe 'scary' 'mad dash' to evacuate burning aircraft
(about 1 hour later)
Passengers have spoken of the “mad dash” and “panic” to evacuate a British Airways plane that caught fire on the runway of a Las Vegas airway on Tuesday evening.Passengers have spoken of the “mad dash” and “panic” to evacuate a British Airways plane that caught fire on the runway of a Las Vegas airway on Tuesday evening.
Dramatic pictures and videos on social media showed flames and huge plumes of black smoke pouring from the centre of the Boeing 777-200 as it sat on the tarmac at McCarran International Airport.Dramatic pictures and videos on social media showed flames and huge plumes of black smoke pouring from the centre of the Boeing 777-200 as it sat on the tarmac at McCarran International Airport.
The 159 passengers and 13 crew were evacuated using safety slides as around 50 fire fighters fought to control the blaze. Seven people were later treated in hospital for minor injuries.The 159 passengers and 13 crew were evacuated using safety slides as around 50 fire fighters fought to control the blaze. Seven people were later treated in hospital for minor injuries.
Jacob Steinberg, a Guardian sports writer, was on board the plane bound for London. Jacob Steinberg, a Guardian sports writer, was on board the plane bound for London. He said the air stewardess had a "look of panic" as they opened the doors and smoke poured into the cabin.
“Was asleep as the plane took off. Came to a crashing halt. Smell of smoke,” he wrote on Twitter. “The air stewards were saying 'stay seated, stay seated' and some people were panicking, running off.
“Could smell and see smoke but was on other side of plane. One person said fire melted a couple of windows. "Within about a minute or so, suddenly they said 'evacuate the plane, evacuate the plane'," he told Sky News.
“They opened the back door and slide went down and smoke started coming in plane, followed by mad dash to front. A lot of panic.” "There was a mad dash to the front of the plane, where thankfully there was no smoke coming in through one of the front doors on the right-hand side of the plane".
“They opened the back door and slide went down and smoke started coming in plane, followed by mad dash to front. A lot of panic,” he added on Twitter.
In the aftermath of the incident a voice recording of the pilot in the moments before the evacuation has emerged. “Speedbird 2276 heavy, we are evacuating on the runway. We have a fire, repeat, we are evacuating.”In the aftermath of the incident a voice recording of the pilot in the moments before the evacuation has emerged. “Speedbird 2276 heavy, we are evacuating on the runway. We have a fire, repeat, we are evacuating.”
The pilot has been praised for his actions. He was greeted with a round of applause by passengers after the evacuation. Images on social media showed passengers streaming from the flaming aircraft, many carrying their bags. The pilot, who was reportedly "pretty shook up" following the incident, has been praised for his actions. He was greeted with a round of applause by passengers after the evacuation. Images on social media showed passengers streaming from the flaming aircraft, many carrying their bags.
He told reporters the plane's engines suffered "catastrophic" failure.
To give you an idea of what the fire was like (that's my mate Jez, who just had a knee reconstruction, on the run). pic.twitter.com/snpHGFyxICTo give you an idea of what the fire was like (that's my mate Jez, who just had a knee reconstruction, on the run). pic.twitter.com/snpHGFyxIC
Fire on British Airways #BritishAirways #lasvegas pic.twitter.com/7Q1t3Y7mk3Fire on British Airways #BritishAirways #lasvegas pic.twitter.com/7Q1t3Y7mk3
Video of the aftermath here pic.twitter.com/3Uxnmz0ltrVideo of the aftermath here pic.twitter.com/3Uxnmz0ltr
Another passenger Jay Jennings, from Southampton, said the experience was “pretty scary”.Another passenger Jay Jennings, from Southampton, said the experience was “pretty scary”.
He told CNN the plane was preparing for take-off when he heard a big thud. When he lifted the window blind he claims he saw “flames on the engine”.He told CNN the plane was preparing for take-off when he heard a big thud. When he lifted the window blind he claims he saw “flames on the engine”.
Dominic Worthington, from London, was also on the flight. He wrote on Twitter: “Scary day, captain and crew saved our lives today”.Dominic Worthington, from London, was also on the flight. He wrote on Twitter: “Scary day, captain and crew saved our lives today”.
To say that today has been an experience is a massive understatement#BA2276#feelinucky pic.twitter.com/5ufMHJPWaoTo say that today has been an experience is a massive understatement#BA2276#feelinucky pic.twitter.com/5ufMHJPWao
From the airport terminal, the 24th busiest in the world, passenger Reggie Bugmancher, of Philadelphia, watched in horror as she saw "bursts of flames coming out of the middle of the plane."From the airport terminal, the 24th busiest in the world, passenger Reggie Bugmancher, of Philadelphia, watched in horror as she saw "bursts 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," Ms Bugmancher said."Everyone ran to the windows and people were standing on their chairs, looking out, holding their breath with their hands over their mouths," Ms Bugmancher said.
Fire on #BritishAirways in #lasvegas everyone looks like off safe pic.twitter.com/JmHLXY0TnyFire on #BritishAirways in #lasvegas everyone looks like off safe pic.twitter.com/JmHLXY0Tny
British Airways released a statement in which they said they were “looking after passengers” as a McCarren airport spokesperson praised the calm thinking and quick actions of crew and passengers.British Airways released a statement in which they said they were “looking after passengers” as a McCarren airport spokesperson praised the calm thinking and quick actions of crew and passengers.