WestJet passengers forced to evacuate plane through emergency slides after engine fire at Vancouver airport. Passengers on a flight that was bound for Mexico say one of the engines catching fire is what prompted the evacuation.
The plane, which had flown from Tampa International Airport, had pulled up to the gate at YVR around 11 p.m. when a “small fire broke out at the back of one of the engines,” according to WestJet.
The fire was promptly extinguished by the plane’s on-board systems, but the crew preferred to be on the side of caution. The approximately 50 other passengers still were evacuated by the airplane’s emergency slides. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
“Exercise caution” — Crew opted to use the slides “out of an abundance of caution,” said WestJet spokeswoman. The aircraft was grounded for maintenance.
The fire rescue team at YVR was called out, but action was not necessary because the fire was out. A representative of the Vancouver International Airport said that the altercation did not affect airport operations or other flights.
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators to the incident. “Our team will collect information and evaluate the occurrence,” the agency said in a brief statement.
Although the cause of the fire is under review, the quick work of the flight crew and the safety systems prevented what could have been a far more serious incident.
The passengers were later safely reunited with their luggage, which had also been evacuated.
