A UK-bound plane which burst into flames at Las Vegas Airport suffered multiple breaches of the engine case, investigators have found.

Parts of the high-pressure compressor component in the engine were also found on the runway, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

An initial examination of the British Airways jet revealed the left engine, fuselage and wing of the plane were substantially damaged in the fire.

The aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders are now being examined by experts.

The plane's 157 passengers, 10 crew and three pilots all escaped safely.

The report said there were several minor injuries as a result of the evacuation, mostly abrasions.

It added: "Initial examination of the left engine revealed multiple breaches of the engine case in the area around the high pressure compressor.

"Examination of the material recovered from runway found several pieces of the high pressure compressor spool (approximately 7-8 inches in length).

"Initial examination of the airplane by NTSB revealed that the left engine and pylon, left fuselage structure and inboard left wing airplane were substantially damaged by the fire. This damage will be documented over the next several days."

The findings came as the pilot of the plane, hailed a hero after a "textbook" response to the blaze, said he had "finished flying".

Chris Henkey, who brought the plane to a halt and ordered the evacuation, told US media he had been due to make one more flight before retiring - to join his daughter in Barbados, his favourite holiday destination.

But he admitted that was now looking "unlikely", adding: "It's safe to say I'm finished flying."

Mr Henkey, from Reading, has 42 years of flying experience and was applauded by passengers when he returned to the terminal.

He insisted he was not the only one who helped save those on the Gatwick-bound Boeing 777, saying: "It's not just me. It's the whole crew, really."

The fire on flight 2276 was spotted just after 4pm local time on Tuesday and a recording of Mr Henkey's exchange with air traffic control was released, showing how efficiently the emergency was handled.