Plane catches fire with 300 passengers onboard

Airport officials say some 300 passengers were rushed off an Egypt Air plane that caught fire before takeoff from Cairo.

The officials say an electrical short in the cockpit caused the fire early Friday as the plane was scheduled to fly to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The passengers were rushed off the plane to a transit hall as firefighters put out the flames. The officials said two firefighters were later taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire didn't affect general air traffic and another plane was being prepared for the passengers traveling to Jeddah.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
 

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