India, May 9 -- In a bizarre but horrifying incident in the United States, a Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles reportedly struck a person walking on the runway at Denver International Airport on Friday night.

According to the airline's statement, the incident occurred during takeoff at approximately 10:15 PM (local time).

The air traffic control audio recordings show the pilot saying the engine caught fire and that smoke was in the aircraft before telling ATC the plane had to be evacuated on the runway, NBC News reported.

The airline said the passengers used slides to evacuate as a precaution.

"We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities,"...