Engine fire closes Newark Airport, five injured amid evacuation

United Airlines Flight 1579 sits on the tarmac at Newark Liberty International Airport after flames were reported coming from an engine, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, in Newark, New Jersey, US on May 23, 2017. Courtesy Oliver Roup / Twitter via Reuters

WASHINGTON // Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey has reopened after temporarily shutting down late on Tuesday, following an engine fire that prompted the evacuation of an airplane, officials said.

There were reports of five minor injuries, according to a statement posted on the airport’s official Twitter account, with delays expected to persist through the night.

The airport is a major international hub near New York City.

“Newark Airport is temporarily closed due to deployment of emergency chutes on a plane with an apparent engine fire,” an earlier post on the airport’s official Twitter account had said.

#EWR has reopened after earlier incident of plane with apparent engine fire. Reports of 5 minor injuries. Expect delays remainder of night.

A passenger posted video of the plane on the tarmac surrounded by vehicles with flashing lights. “Just had to evacuate my @united flight using the slide,” the user tweeted using the handle @lo_toney.

United Airlines Flight 1579 bound for San Francisco halted its take-off as it was taxiing on the runway, local media reported. It was due to depart at 9.22 pm on Tuesday.

* Agence France-Presse