Seven people were injured when a fire broke out on an Air Busan airplane at Gimhae International Airport on Tuesday night.

The fire reportedly ignited in a passenger's luggage, allegedly due to an auxiliary battery, according to witnesses who spoke to Maeil Business.

The incident happened at 10.15 PM when the plane was preparing for take-off with 176 people on board.

Witnesses said they saw black smoke come from the back of the aircraft before flames spread.

Firefighters and emergency services quickly arrived on the scene and evacuated the passengers, as well as treating those who had been injured. Local health authorities then increased that total from three injured to seven.

A passenger close to where it happened said of the blaze, "It appears to have started in the overhead luggage compartment. A cabin attendant immediately intervened, asking about a battery inside the bin and bringing a fire extinguisher on board."

Air Busan declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation by South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Air Railroad Accident Investigation Committee validated that the wings and engines of the airplane didn't get damaged.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered a full investigation into the accident and urged steps to prevent a recurrence.

"We need to balance safety in aircraft operations and reduce inconvenience for citizens," said Choi.

The blaze comes amid a string of recent aviation disasters, including the crash of a Jeju Airplane last month that killed 179 people. The authorities will draft extensive reforms targeting aviation safety, including airport facilities and airline inspections.

Three of the 40 parking spaces at Gimhae International Airport are also temporarily closed according to the ongoing safety measures.