Engine Catches Fire on United Airlines Flight, Passengers Evacuated (Videos)

Scorpions falling on people, dragging and dropping passengers, trying to steal Wendy’s thunder, the death of a giant bunny, and now a fire – United Airlines can’t seem to stay out of the news.

Last night, passengers on United Airlines flight 1579 at Newark Liberty International Airport were evacuated after an apparent engine fire.

The plane was preparing to depart Newark for San Francisco when the incident occurred, United spokesman Jonathan Guerin said in a statement to USA TODAY this morning:

“Last night, during taxiing of United Flight 1579 from Newark to San Francisco, the tower notified the crew of what appeared to be flames from one of the engines.

The crew immediately deployed the slides and safely evacuated the aircraft. 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 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.”

A total of 124 passengers and seven crew members were on board the taxiing flight when the fire broke out in an engine on the right side of the aircraft, reports CBS New York.

The incident forced the suspension of all flights at the airport for about two hours.

Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters from the Port Authority Police Department worked to bring the fire under control.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the fire.

Some of the passengers Tweeted about the incident:

Just had to evacuate my @united flight using the slide and everything @EWRairport pic.twitter.com/0YhAAPeoFF

— Lo Toney (@lo_toney) May 24, 2017

Got evacuated via slides from United 1579 due to engine fire #UA1579 #EWR #evacuation pic.twitter.com/FQ0Hty7FMx

— hardik (@3billionbases) May 24, 2017

UA/1579 EWR to SFO was just evacuated. No visible signs of smoke or fire but the captain said we're evacuating and attendants popped slides pic.twitter.com/L7i7O6IZix

— Oliver Roup (@oroup) May 24, 2017

Full ground stop, lots of emergency crews. Hundreds of people standing on the tarmac. pic.twitter.com/kL5mAyc4xn

— Oliver Roup (@oroup) May 24, 2017

Naturally, some people had jokes…

@lo_toney @Frogerta @united @EWRairport @united Will do anything to get people to give up their seats. Glad you are safe!

— Michael Abrams (@mjabrams) May 24, 2017

@lo_toney @united @EWRairport Sliding is better than being dragged.

— Cyrus Toulabi (@CyrusToulabi) May 24, 2017

@lo_toney @united @EWRairport Is that the way they are freeing up up seats for crew these days then?

— Gavin Copus (@Gavincopus) May 24, 2017

Thankfully, people are reporting that United Airlines handled the incident very well, and so far, it seems that everyone involved is doing fine.

@JAS11724 I'm sure they will be fine, everyone evacuated safely. Well handled by united and response crews

— Oliver Roup (@oroup) May 24, 2017