Firefighter dies tackling flaming Emirates flight which crash landed at Dubai's airport

Smoke was pouring from the back of the Emirates flight after it crash landed. Credit: Twitter / Krishna Bhagavathula

ITV News correspondent Duncan Golestani reports.

A firefighter has died tackling a plane fire caused when an Emirates plane with 300 people on board, including 24 Britons, crash landed at Dubai's International Airport.

Dubai's Government named the firefighter killed as Jassim Essa Al-Baloushi. In a tweet they called him a "martyr" and noted that his "sacrifice" was made to "save and protect lives".

Fourteen people were taken to hospital following the crash which was reported to have happened after the crew attempted to abort the landing for a second attempt amid reports of landing gear problems.

In footage shared on social media passengers are seen being evacuated from the plane, while crew members tell them to leave their bags and "jump down the slide" to leave the aircraft.

Pictures showed flames and smoke at the rear of flight EK521 which was arriving from India.

The plane was carrying 282 passengers and 18 crew members, and a spokesperson for operator Dubai Airports said they were all evacuated safely.

However, Emirates chairman and chief executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, confirmed that a firefighter died while putting out the flames.

He added that the crash was not related to security.

The wreckage of the crashed flight. Credit: Reuters

An aviation expert has said that high temperatures in Dubai were "very likely" to have been a factor in causing the Boeing 777's fire.

Wind shear - a potentially hazardous condition involving sudden andunpredictable changes in wind direction or speed - was also indicated on the airport's runways.

Tweets posted by NBC News' Krishna Bhagavathul showed the drama unfolding from the terminal.

Emirates airline released information via Twitter and Facebook and confirmed that the flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai was involved in "an incident".

It added: "Our main priority now is the safety and well-being of all involved. We are extending full co-operation to authorities and emergency services managing the situation"

All arrival and departure flights were suspended for more than five hours following the crash, but resumed at 6.30pm local time.