WestJet emergency evacuation: Engine fire on plane at Vancouver airport; 50 passengers use slides

A WestJet flight from Tampa International Airport to Vancouver International Airport experienced a small engine fire upon arrival late Saturday night, prompting an emergency evacuation, the airline said.

According to WestJet, the fire broke out in the tailpipe of one engine as the aircraft reached the gate around 11 pm. The onboard systems quickly contained and extinguished the fire, but the crew deployed emergency slides to evacuate the roughly 50 passengers who were still on board, “out of an abundance of caution.”

“No injuries have been reported, and the aircraft has been removed from service for maintenance,” a WestJet spokesperson said in a statement quoted by CTV News.

Vancouver airport officials confirmed that fire rescue crews responded to the incident but were not required to intervene, as the plane’s internal safety systems handled the situation. Airport operations and flight schedules remained unaffected.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has dispatched a team to investigate and assess the incident.