Tug Towing Virgin America Plane Catches on Fire at LAX

A tug towing a Virgin American aircraft caught on fire on a taxiway at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, but no one was injured, according to airport police.

The tug caught on fire shortly before 10 a.m. and was quickly doused, Los Angeles Airport Police Officer Rob Pedregon said. The tug caught on fire on Taxiway E between E11 and E12, he said said.

Taxiway E is closed between taxiways R and F until further notice, Pedregon said.

In a statement to Patch, Virgin America said the plane was being inspected for damages. There were no passengers on board at the time of the incident.

The cause of the fire was being investigated at this time, Pedregon said.

(photos courtesy of the Los Angeles Airport Police Department)