BLANTYRE -- Firefighters doused a Zimbabwean plane which was bound for Britain after its eight rear tires burst into flames during an abortive take-off from Malawi on Thursday, aviation authorities said.

Alfred Mtilatila, chief aviation officer at Kamuzu International airport in the capital Lilongwe said the incident happened around 8:00am (0600 GMT) involving an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767 which was bound for London's Gatwick airport and carrying 91 passengers.

"The Boeing 767 abandoned take-off after it struck two birds which were sucked into the turbines," Mtilatila told Agence France-Presse.

He said eight rear tires of the Boeing burst into flames and firefighters doused the blaze before it spread.

Nobody was hurt, he said, adding that all passengers were evacuated to safety. "We have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident."

David Mwenga, regional manager for Europe and America for the airline, said the pilot abandoned take-off after the giant plane hit two birds.

The plane had originated from Harare with 85 passengers. Six of the passengers had boarded in Malawi, he added.