Horror as British Airways jet carrying hundreds bursts into flames while taking off

A BRITISH Airways jet carrying hundreds of passengers has been engulfed in flames after its engine caught fire during takeoff.

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Panic erupted when smoke filled the plane after cabin crew opened emergency doors to evacuate.
Passengers on board described a "mad dash" to escape the burning jet after what the pilot said was a "catastrophic failure" of the left engine.

But miraculously just 14 people have been reported injured after the horror incident at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas.

Journalist Jacob Steinberg, who was on the plane, said: "They opened up one of the doors at the back and immediately loads of smoke came into the plane through that door which obviously led to quite a lot of panic from where we were.
There were 159 passengers and 13 crew on the 275-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, which was heading for Gatwick Airport in London.
They applauded the plane's pilot when he emerged at the airport and joked that they "won't be going anywhere tonight".

Mr Steinberg added: "It was a bit of a blur to be honest. At first I don't think they realised what had happened because they were telling people to sit down.
"A couple of people stood up and were running down the plane. I thought they were just panicking.
"There was a very quick shift in mood when they shouted evacuate and everybody immediately was up on their feet.

"Once they shouted evacuate it was quite quick but initially I think they didn't realise what had happened until the pilot looked out the window and saw smoke coming from the left engine."

Billowing black smoke and orange flames could be seen pouring from the plane's wings before about 50 firefighters quickly doused the aircraft.
It is not yet known what caused the blaze.
One runway at the airport was closed.
A spokeswoman for British Airways said safety is always the airline's priority and the airline is looking after customers.

At a press conference, an airport spokeswoman told reporters 14 people had been treated for minor injuries.
She added: "All passengers were evacuated quickly and safely and taken by bus to the terminal.
"We cannot express enough gratitude to the emergency response crews, as well as the British Airways crew.
"As facts become available, information will be provided."
The National Transportation Safety Board would be investigating the incident, the spokeswoman said.