'Shock' as fire breaks out at Bristol Airport

Passengers have spoken of their shock after a fire broke out on tarmac at Bristol Airport as they were about to board a plane.

Large plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the ground near an empty Ryanair plane, which was bound for Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

The fire was caused by a ground power unit (GPU), used to charge planes before they take off. A Bristol Airport spokesman said: "This was quickly extinguished by our fire team and there were no injuries."

Passenger Colin Smith said: "They were loading us onto the bus outside, then all of a sudden there's smoke billowing out of the front of the plane.

"The bus stopped, and two fire engines rushed over to it."

He added the incident was a "bit worrying", especially for people already nervous about travelling on planes.

No other flights have been impacted by the early-morning incident.

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