Reported engine fire appears to be false alarm: Des Moines International Airport (KDSM), Iowa

A reported airplane engine fire at Des Moines' airport sent emergency crews to the scene Sunday afternoon, but no fire was seen.

The report came after an indicator light warned of a possible engine fire at approximately 3:15 p.m., said Ken McCoy, director of operations for Des Moines International Airport

The airport's fire department responded to the call, McCoy said, and no indication of a fire was found on the plane when they arrived. There were no injuries.

McCoy identified the plane as Allegiant Air flight 497, scheduled to depart for Las Vegas, Nev., at 1:45 p.m. according to the airport's website. The flight had 157 passengers and crew on board, McCoy said.

McCoy said the plane was on the taxiway at the time of the alarm, though he had no information on whether it was preparing to take off or was taxiing.

The airline and airport would run through their protocols to make sure the plane was safe for takeoff in the future, McCoy said.

There is currently no information available on plans for the passengers and whether they will be rerouted to their destination or another plane will fly to Des Moines to take them to Las Vegas, McCoy said.

McCoy was unable to comment on the frequency of alarms like this, as often problems with instruments are handled internally by the airlines themselves, he said.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com