An engine on a passenger plane has burst into flames while preparing for takeoff at an airport in the US state of Florida, forcing more than 100 passengers to exit the aircraft using inflatable emergency slides.

Officials said at least fifteen people were injured and one person was seriously injured by burns in the incident that happened on Thursday at  Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.

The passengers and crew evacuated the Dynamic International Airways' Boeing 767-200ER shortly after the pilots found out that the jet was in trouble.

Television images showed dozens of passengers gliding down the slides of the plane bound for Caracas, Venezuela, and the aircraft surrounded by white foam and firefighters' trucks in Fort Lauderdale.

Passenger Andres Gallegos said he was one of the first few people to use the chutes to exit the jet.

"I heard a loud bang. I turned around, saw the lights, saw the flames and I ran to the front of the aircraft," said Gallegos, who said it took about half a minute for the plane doors to open. "It was pretty nerve-wracking, knowing that the door wasn't opening and that something was on fire."

Other passengers said that there was chaos as people were screaming and running through the aircfat but the flight crew remained calm and acted professionally.

"In that moment, the only thing going through my mind is trying to get off the plane," said passenger Daniela Magro.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft was leaking fuel before departure, and its crew was warned about the leak.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident.  Representatives from the FAA, engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, Boeing and Dynamic will also help the federal investigators.