Air Force C-130 catches fire before takeoff in Clark

This photo, taken on April 21, 2017, shows troops marching as a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane carrying Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sits on the tarmac of Pagasa (Thitu) Island on the disputed Spratlys chain of island in the West Philippine Sea. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE) A Philippine Air Force C-130 plane caught fire before its take off at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Wednesday morning.

The fire was reported at 7:10 a.m., moments before the plane’s takeoff for Palawan, Air Force spokesperson Maj. Aristides Galang told reporters.

A firetruck arrived at the scene in less than 5 minutes to put out the fire. Fire out was declared at 7:36 a.m.

The plane, which was carrying 122 passengers including crew, was supposed to fly to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea to ferry students of the National Defense College of the Philippines.

There were no reports of casualties.

A video showing the left wing of the aircraft on fire circulated on social media.

Galang said an investigation is still ongoing to find out the cause of the fire. The plane was brought to the Air Force’s maintenance hub.  /muf