An American Airlines plane caught fire on the tarmac at Denver International Airport on Thursday after an engine problem, forcing passengers to evacuate the aircraft, DIA and airline officials said.
The plane was at gate C38 when the fire started at around 6 p.m., said airport spokesperson Michael Konopasek.
Passengers were evacuated and the fire was extinguished, Konopasek said. No injuries were reported.
Flight 1006 departed from Colorado Springs and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when it diverted to DIA, American Airlines officials said in a statement.
The Boeing 737-800 landed safely and was taxiing when it experienced “an engine-related issue,” spokesperson Brian Metham said in a statement. Metham did not specify whether the diversion was caused by the engine problem.
There were 172 passengers and six crew members on board, he said.
News of the fire spread quickly on social media after passengers posted videos of smoke billowing from the plane and passengers evacuating onto the wings.
