British Airways fire: Passengers evacuate on emergency slides as London-bound plane engulfed in flames

A British Airways plane bound for London has caught fire during take-off at Las Vegas airport, forcing 172 people to escape on emergency slides.

Footage showed flames and smoke engulfing the plane at McCarran International Airport in Nevada, sending passengers fleeing from the aircraft.

All of the 159 passengers and 13 crew were evacuated safely.

Officials said at least 13 people had to be treated for minor injuries.Thirteen people received minor injuries after a British Airways plane caught fire at Las Vegas' McCarran airport, the airline has said.

At a press briefing, the company said the cause of the fire - which began from the plane's left engine during take-off - was not yet known.

An investigation team are arriving tomorrow in an effort to determine what prompted the fire.

The Boeing aircraft, which was carrying 159 passengers and 13 crew, was due to fly to London Gatwick today.