BLAZE: The engine fire forced the plane to divert to Southend [STEPHEN HUNTLEY]

The aircraft was travelling from Jersey to London City Airport before it started to experience technical problems.

According to fire safety officers, one of the engines had caught fire internally.

The pilot was forced to divert the plane towards Southend Airport, Essex and make an emergency landing at around 8.30am this morning.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed automatic systems on board fully extinguished the fire before it landed.

A spokeswoman for London Southend Airport said: "Due to technical difficulties the pilot requested to land here.

"Emergency services were stood down shortly after landing and the aircraft taxied normally to the stand to allow passengers to disembark."

SAFE: The plane landed at around 8.30am this morning [STEPHEN HUNTLEY]

None of the 28 passengers or three crew members were hurt aboard the Blue Island Airways flight.

Divisional Officer Neil Fenwick, who attended the incident, said the outcome could have been a lot worse.

He said: "This was a text book operation.

"The plane landed safely on one engine and automatic fire suppression systems on board had completely extinguished the fire.

"Our crews made sure that the fire was fully out but were not required to take any further action.
