Fire Halts Jet's Takeoff; 2 Injured in Evacuation

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — One of the engines of a British Airways jet caught fire as it was preparing to take off, and two passengers suffered minor injuries while evacuating the aircraft.

Flight 4508 was on the taxiway at San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport when the fire was reported Sunday night. The pilot ordered an emergency evacuation, using the DC-10's ramps.

The 249 passengers and 14 crew members were evacuated without serious injury, officials said. An airline spokeswoman said the fire "was quickly extinguished," but two passengers were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The London-bound flight was canceled, and passengers were taken to hotels for the night.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.