Ryanair jet in airport fire drama

More than 100 people were taken off a Ryanair passenger jet after one of its engines caught fire, police said tonight.

The 117 passengers were led from the jet after one of the Boeing 737 engines caught fire as it landed at Stansted airport, Essex police said.

The aircraft, inbound from Dublin, landed at 5.20pm when the pilot noticed the number two engine was on fire as it taxied towards the terminal building.

Airport firefighters extinguished the blaze and two people received minor injuries, a police spokesman said.

A spokeswoman for Stansted Airport said: ‘‘The aircraft had a perfectly normal landing when the pilot noticed an engine fire as it was taxiing.

‘‘The airport’s fire brigade was called and an evacuation took place of the 117 passengers.’’

Seven members of crew were also taken off the plane, the spokeswoman said.

Firefighters used foam and powder to extinguish the blaze and officers and were stood down shortly before 6pm.

An Essex Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed two people had received minor injuries, thought to be smoke inhalation, and were receiving treatment on the ground.

A full investigation will be carried out, the airport spokeswoman said.