Emergency Evacuation: American Airlines Plane Fire Forces 178 Passengers to Escape in Denver
A routine arrival at Denver International Airport turned chaotic when an American Airlines Airbus A321 caught fire at the gate, forcing an emergency evacuation of 178 passengers. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon, resulting in twelve minor injuries during the evacuation process.
American Airlines plane fire in Denver
Emergency crews quickly responded to reports of smoke near one of the aircraft's engines while the plane was parked at the gate. The fire was contained promptly, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
The twelve injured passengers primarily sustained minor injuries from using the emergency slides. Medical personnel on-site provided immediate assistance, and no life-threatening injuries were reported.
BREAKING: American Airlines plane catches fire at Denver airport pic.twitter.com/DwQvCCRrNz
Passengers praised the flight crew's professional handling of the evacuation, with one stating, "The flight attendants were shouting for everyone to evacuate. It was scary, but they handled it well."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the incident, with initial reports suggesting a possible mechanical malfunction. The aircraft will undergo thorough inspection to assess the damage.
While the airport quickly resumed normal operations, some connecting flights experienced delays due to the emergency response. American Airlines has expressed gratitude for the swift action of emergency crews and maintains that passenger safety remains their top priority.
The FAA and NTSB continue their investigation to determine whether mechanical failure, maintenance issues, or other factors contributed to the fire. Updates on the investigation and potential passenger compensation are pending from American Airlines.
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