A Delhi-bound Spicejet plane, with 185 passengers on board, was forced to make an emergency landing at Patna airport immediately after take-off as its left engine caught fire after a bird hit, officials said.

Videos shot by locals on the ground show flames coming out from the left engine.

All passengers were safely evacuated and there has been no report of any injury, officials said.

While the bird hit is reported to have taken place during the take-off, the aircraft continued to ascend as the pilots did not notice any abnormality.

The cabin crew then saw flames coming out from the left engine of the aircraft and alerted the pilots who immediately shut down the engine and requested an emergency landing.

"Cockpit crew of Patna-Delhi SpiceJet flight after take-off during rotation suspected bird hit on engine no. 1. As a precautionary measure, the flight captain shut down the affected engine and returned to Patna. Post-flight inspection shows bird hit with three fan blades damaged," said a Spicejet spokesperson.   

Some passengers said there were vibrations inside the plane soon after take-off and the lights started turning off.

"We raised an alarm. The cabin crew members then told us that an emergency landing was being made," a passenger said.

The director of Patna airport said, "None of the passengers have been hurt. Their journey to Delhi is being arranged by an alternative aircraft. What caused the fire is a matter of investigation."