Cabin smoke forces emergency evacuation of British Airways jet

(CNN) - Passengers and crew on a London-bound British Airways jet evacuated using emergency slides Friday after smoke odor filled the cabin at the airport in Phoenix, Arizona.

About 15 people suffered injuries, said Capt. Shelly Jamison, spokeswoman of the Phoenix Fire Department.

One person experiencing shoulder pain was taken to a local hospital, she added.

The Boeing 747, headed to London's Heathrow Airport, had departed the gate for the runway, but returned after passengers detected odors strong enough to cause alarm, Jamison told CNN.

The plane was next to the terminal building when emergency chutes flew open for the 350 passengers and crew to evacuate.

About 100 firefighters and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport about 8 p.m. (11 p.m. ET), she said.

Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera, but could not determine a source of a fire, Jamison said.

She said the smoke may have been caused by electrical problems.

An investigation is ongoing.