Passengers escape down emergency slides as flight BA288 prepares for take-off in Phoenix, Arizona

Hundreds of passengers have been evacuated from a British Airways jet after smoke filled the cabin just before take-off.

The Boeing 747 had been preparing to depart for Heathrow from Phoenix Airport in Arizona this morning when passengers reported an acrid smell. All on board escaped down the plane’s emergency slides.

A passenger on flight BA288, Corinne Casazza, said: “There was this really strong smell of fuel and I could hear people panicking behind me. They were upset and finding it hard to breathe because of the smell.

“People were coughing and choking and those with children were very worried and so they brought them to the front where they could breathe.

“We asked if we could open the doors but were told we couldn’t because we were still moving.

“There was a lot of pushing and shoving – everyone just wanted to get off the plane.”

Another passenger said the cabin filled with smoke and people had to cover their faces because of the smell.

“It was horrific – it smelt like rubber burning, or something like that,” she said.

No serious injuries were reported but about 15 people had minor cuts and bruises

A BA spokesman said: “The plane was being pushed back from the stand when there were reports of smoke. A decision was taken to evacuate the aircraft following the usual procedures.”

Fire crews found smoke in the cabin and in the cargo compartment, but no fire was discovered, said a spokeswoman for Phoenix fire department. Safety officials believed the smoke and smell were caused by an electrical problem.

BA has organised hotel rooms for the stranded passengers while engineers examine the plane.