American Airlines Flight Catches Fire at Denver Airport, Passengers Evacuated

DENVER — A fire broke out on an American Airlines flight at Denver International Airport on Thursday evening, prompting an emergency evacuation. Flight 4012 was at gate C38 when flames were reported near the engine, leading to the deployment of air slides for passenger escape.

According to a spokesperson for the airport, all passengers were evacuated safely, though the extent of any injuries remains unclear. Videos shared on social media show smoke rising from the aircraft and passengers standing on the wing as they waited to be rescued.

Images circulating online depict significant smoke billowing around the plane, with eyewitnesses reporting that the fire was caused by a jet engine malfunction. Alexandria Cullen, press assistant for Congressman Gabe Evans, tweeted that her mother was aboard the flight and expressed gratitude that everyone was safe. “American Airlines flight 4012 caught fire after an engine failed,” she wrote. “Plane was diverted to Denver. THANK YOU GOD that they are alive.”

The fire was extinguished soon after it started, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause. “There was an aircraft fire reported to an American Airlines plane sitting at gate C38, producing visible smoke,” the airport stated.

As news of the incident spread, it comes at a time of heightened concerns over aviation safety in the U.S. Airline incidents have escalated recently, raising questions about the future of air travel. Experts, however, maintain that despite these alarming events, air travel remains fundamentally safe. “There isn’t anything wrong with the air transportation system in the U.S.,” said Dr. Hassan Shahidi, head of the Flight Safety Foundation.

Dr. Daniel Adjekum, a veteran in aviation safety management, also emphasized the importance of maintaining high safety standards. “This is not a time to be cutting safety measures; it is crucial to ensure the ongoing reliability of air travel,” he stated.

The incident at the airport coincides with another alarming situation in the Denver area, where an explosion and transformer fire at an assisted living facility injured at least ten people and displaced dozens. The fire department stated that initial investigations indicate a power line was struck during construction work, leading to the explosion.

Resident Barbara Hinchey described the chaos, saying, “I felt the boom. It rocked my chair, so I knew when the fire alarm came on that it was real.” Emergency responders and the American Red Cross have been working to assist families affected by this explosion.

The fire at Denver International Airport is part of an ongoing narrative regarding safety in air travel, and officials have committed to keeping the public informed as more details emerge.