[Ryan N]

Continental Airlines plane catches fire in Denver, Colorado
By staff writers
Agence France-Presse

December 21, 2008 05:48pm

A CONTINENTAL Airlines jet taking off from Denver, Colorado, veered off the runway and and into a ravine, forcing 112 people on board to evacuate via emergency chutes.

Nearly 40 people in the Boeing 737 suffered injuries ranging from broken bones to bruises in the accident, which occured 6.20pm local time (12.20pm AEDT).

Denver Fire Department Division Chief Patrick Hynes said a fire burned the entire right side of the plane, the Associated Press reported.

Melted plastic from the overhead compartments dripped onto the seats down below, he said.

Firefighters arriving on the scene described it as "surreal."

"Much like a movie, some people coming out of the smoke and up the hill," Mr Hynes said.

Denver International Airport manager of aviation Kim Day said no deaths were reported, but 38 passengers were taken to hospital.

Airport spokesman Jeff Green said the cause of the accident was still unknown.

The plane was bound for Houston, Texas. It was carrying 107 passengers and five crew members, Continental spokeswoman Mary Clark said.

With AFP