Aircraft's Engine Caught Fire Prior To Takeoff Tuesday Night

Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) was shut down briefly on Tuesday when an engine on a United Airlines Boeing 757 caught fire before take off on a flight to San Francisco.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the airport was closed at about 6:30 p.m. local time, and was reopened by 7:42 p.m.

According to an airline spokesman, the crew was informed that an engine was on fire while taxiing on the runway. In a recording, a controller is heard saying there was an "engine issue" on the airplane. Another says later "You hear that? He said you've got flames coming out of your back engine, there."

Passengers were evacuated using the plane's emergency slides on the left side of the aircraft. Several praised the crew of the aircraft for the quick and orderly evacuation on social media. They were not able to see the fire from the tarmac, according to the report.

There were 124 passengers and seven crew on board. Five passengers reportedly sustained minor injuries during the evacuation.

"The crew immediately deployed the slides and safely evacuated the aircraft,” United spokesman Jonathan Guerin said in a statement to USA Today In The Sky. “Customers were transported back to the terminal and departed Newark on a new aircraft at 1:35 a.m. and arrived in San Francisco this (Wednesday) morning at 3:42 a.m. Five customers reported minor injuries and were cleared to travel. We’re grateful for the swift actions of our flight crew and we’re thankful customers were safe.”

FMI: www.ntsb.gov