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Fire erupts on flight in Seattle just before takeoff

SEATTLE - A fire erupted on an American Airlines plane as it headed for the runway to depart Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, but the blaze was quickly extinguished.

No injuries were reported Wednesday morning.

Airport spokesman Brian DeRoy says the Airbus A320 was on the taxiway going toward the runway when smoke started coming out of the back of the plane. He says a spark in the auxiliary power unit just below the tail section started a small fire.

The Port of Seattle Fire Department responded and put the fire out. The aircraft headed back to the gate.

Flight 728 had been scheduled to depart for Philadelphia at 8:10 a.m. It had 151 passengers and 6 crew members on board. CBS affiliate KIRO-TV reports it was rescheduled to depart at 11 a.m. local time.

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