Russian jet fire kills 3

Russian officials say the death toll from a plane that caught fire andexploded on a runway at a Siberian airport has risen to three. Forty-three people wereinjured, including six who were badly burned.

Emergency services spokesman Vadim Grebennikov says the fire, which began in one of the engines as the TU-154taxied for takeoff, caused a powerful blast that destroyed theaircraft and spread flames across 1,000 square metres.

Most of the passengers and crew were evacuated before the explosion Saturdayin Surgut, about 2,200 kilometres east of Moscow.

Grebennikov says 10 people were seriously injured, including the six who were badly burned and four who suffered broken bones or other trauma.

Most of the other injured passengers sought treatment for poisoning after inhaling toxic fumes.