A Southwest flight bound for Las Vegas was grounded due to an engine fire

A Southwest plane that took off from Lubbock, Texas, returned to the gate shortly after abandoning its takeoff run when the flight crew reported a possible engine fire, according to a statement from Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport.

Lubbock Fire Rescue responded to reports of an engine failure and fire Thursday and said crews were working on “firefighting operations.”

The flight was preparing to depart for Las Vegas, but returned to the gate before take-off, according to the airline.

“We got into takeoff acceleration, we were about to take off, and you could hear a thud and the plane yawed,” said Lisa Powell, a passenger on the flight who spoke with local ABC News affiliate KABC. “And we have come to a halt.”

“It wasn't scary. We thought a tire had blown, but the pilot came over and said, 'The engine just swallowed something, and flames came out,'” Powell told KABC.

She said they had to wait about 10 minutes while the fire department cooled the brakes before returning to the gate.

The city said the plane was able to return to the gate using its own power.

The airport said in a statement that all passengers were able to disembark safely and return to the lounge, while Southwest worked to accommodate customers and transfer them on another plane.

As of 7 p.m. local time, Runway 17R was closed for cleaning and inspection, according to the city.

LFR said no injuries were reported.

The engine fire comes just one day after a Southwest Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Tampa Bay, Florida, due to severe turbulence over the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in two people needing medical care.