Plane Catches Fire at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport

A plane caught fire at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago on Friday after a tire blew on the runway while the aircraft was preparing to take off, federal officials said.

Passengers were evacuated through the airplane’s chutes, and there were no serious injuries, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman Tony Molinaro told the Associated Press. However, the aircraft’s engine was damaged in the blaze.

American Airlines Flight 383 was leaving Chicago and headed to Miami when takeoff was aborted due to an “engine-related mechanical issue,” American Airlines and the FAA said in a statement. There were 161 passengers and nine crew members on board the Boeing 767.

“We are taking care of our customers and crew and are re-accommodating our passengers on another flight to Miami this evening,” the airline said in a statement.

Images and video circulating on social media showed black smoke billowing from the plane as people gaze at the blaze from afar. Emergency responders were on the scene. Chicago Fire had announced an “emergency” at O’Hare, saying on Twitter that there was an “aircraft down” at the airport.

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.