12 Injured As Plane Evacuated in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Twelve Delta Air Lines passengers suffered minor injuries Monday when their Boeing 757 had to be evacuated when a fireball shot from the engine when it was started, officials said.

Delta flight 1036 to Atlanta was leaving the gate at Tampa International Airport at about 7:15 a.m. when the pilots noticed a small fireball shoot from an engine when it was turned on, said Bill Wade, a Tampa Fire Department spokesman. About 170 people were on the plane.

The evacuation chutes were deployed and some passengers sprained ankles and other minor injuries when they slid down, officials said. They were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said the fire was extinguished immediately. She said the remaining passengers will be put on another flight.

Delta did not immediately return a phone call Monday.