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More than 300 people had a surprise stop in Halifax last night.
Just after 9:20 p.m. Aug. 5, RCMP responded to a call regarding a fire onboard United Airlines Flight 999 from New York to Europe.
“There was a small fire on board, the fire was extinguished,” Peter Spurway, a spokesman for the Halifax International Airport Authority, said in an interview late Tuesday night. “The captain did declare an emergency and diverted into Halifax Stanfield and landed safely at 9:50 p.m.”
The airport’s fire department responded.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was not known.
The plane remained at the airport at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“There are two alternatives,” Spurway said.
“The passengers could be taken off the airplane, put through Canada customs and then another flight would come along (Wednesday) and pick them up. But that’s up to the airline. I’m not sure what United’s plans are.”
Scott Shaffner, a division commander with Halifax Regional Fire Service, said they received a call about a fire on an airplane about 9:22 p.m. However, the fire was out by the time the plane landed, he said.
“But there was some smoke on board,” Shaffner said in an interview. “The last I heard they were evacuating people out and our individuals stood down.”
Emergency Health Services and RCMP also responded.
Agencies/Canadajournal
