ST JAMES, Jamaica — Airport officials are reporting that the problem that forced the evacuation of more than 400 passengers from a Virgin Atlantic Flight that was to depart Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, for London late Friday, has been found.

OBSERVER ONLINE received reports Friday that the passengers were forced to deplane after fire was seen onboard.

Read: Emergency at Sangster Airport, passengers disembark aircraft

However, Sitara Byfield, commercial director at MBJ Airports Limited, reported that there was an “indication of fire”.

“The problem was caused by a faulty switch in the aircraft. This was what triggered an alarm,” said Byfield.

The faulty switch in the fire detection system reportedly resulted in the false alarm.

According to a CMC report, the passengers were allowed to return to the plane after the maintenance crew found no physical indication of a fire, however, some passengers became disruptive and security personnel were forced to intervene.

When the disturbance was quelled, the pilot’s duty time was exhausted and the flight cancelled, CMC said.

Arrangements for accommodation were reportedly made for the passengers.

The flight is scheduled to depart on Saturday.

Kimmo Matthews