Norwich Airport shut down after plane catches fire on runway

A major airport has been shut down this morning after holidaymakers reported seeing a massive emergency presence responding to a "crash".

Norwich Airport is expected to remain closed until 12.30pm today following "an incident" on the airfield's runway, that has seen shocked passengers awaiting flights take to social media. Holidaymakers at the site today reported seeing a large emergency presence rush to the scene, with one saying they heard "crash! crash!" over the radio.

They said: "We could tell something was wrong, we heard 'crash! crash!' over the radios. We went outside to have a look. The propellers on the plane looked bent, it did not look like there was any landing gear down." It comes after a Brit abroad slams all-inclusive hotel food asking 'what on earth is this?'

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A spokesman for Norwich Airport confirmed only that the airport was "dealing with an incident involving a light aircraft" they said took place at around 8.30am today.

They said in a statement: “We can confirm we are dealing with an incident involving a light aircraft which took place at 08.30am this morning.

"The runway is currently closed and is expected to reopen at 12.30pm today. Passengers due to travel are advised to check with their airline for further details.”

Local authorities are yet to disclose the exact nature of the incident, with a spokesperson for Norfolk Constabulary saying in a statement that they rushed to the scene at 8.41am before being "stood down".

They said: "We were called to reports of an incident at Norwich Airport at 8.41am. We were briefly deployed before being stood down."

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service added in their own statement that they were called to attend the scene at 8.40am, but also stood down soon after. They said they were asked to stand down en route as "there were no reported injuries" from the incident.

They said: "We were called at 8.40am to attend an incident at Norwich Airport - however, we were stood down en route as there were no reported injuries."