An American Airlines plane caught fire while sitting at a gate at Denver International Airport on Thursday, prompting slides to be deployed so passengers could evacuate quickly. An airport spokesperson told multiple news outlets that the plane was at gate C38 when the fire started on Thursday afternoon.
The blaze began on the plane, which was parked at Gate C38, and thick black smoke rose above the tarmac, according to airport officials. There was an aircraft fire "to an American Airlines plane" that was sitting at gate C38 on Thursday evening, producing “visible smoke”, the airport was quoted as saying in the media report. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration said American Airlines Flight 1006 was diverted and safely landed at Denver International Airport on Thursday evening.
“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue. The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” FOX31 quoted the American Airlines as saying in a statement. The flight took off from the Colorado Springs Airport and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, but was diverted to DIA. The plane used for the flight was a Boeing 737-800, the American Airlines added.