An intense fuel-fed post-crash fire developed. Substantial portions of the aircraft were consumed in the fire. As a result, it was impossible to account for and examine all the aircraft. The most intense area of the fire occurred in the lower half of the wreckage trail. The upper portions of the wreckage trail were also subjected to the post-crash fire but to a lesser extent.

Airport Crash Fire Fighting Rescue (CFR) vehicles arrived at the site approximately 10 minutes after the accident. Fire suppression activities commenced immediately using dry chemical and foam. Additional fire vehicles and personnel were dispatched from the town of Gander. With the exception of a few stubborn spot fires the fire was extinguished within 45 minutes of the arrival of rescue vehicles. These spot fires were extinguished within four hours, except for one which continued to burn for 23 hours.

CFR personnel reported that there were a number of explosions seen and heard throughout the burning wreckage area. Some were strong enough to lift mounds of rubble several feet into the air.

Three eyewitnesses reported an orange or yellow glow emanating from the underside of the aircraft All three were travelling in separate vehicles on the Trans-Canada Highway which crosses the extended centre line of the runway, 900 feet beyond the departure end. Two of these witnesses observed the aircraft through their left side windows just before the aircraft passed directly overhead at low altitude. Both reported a steady orange/yellow glow that was bright enough to illuminate the interior of the truck cabs in which they were travelling. They were unable to make any precise determination about the location of the glow. One of these witnesses thought the glow might have been a fire but could not be sure.

The third of these witnesses observed the aircraft, from a distance of about one-half mile, crossing the highway from right to left. He also described the phenomenon as a steady orange glow emanating from the underside of the aircraft. He attributed the glow to the reflection of the runway 04 approach lights on the underside of the aircraft A passenger in this vehicle also observed the aircraft crossing over the highway but did not report the glow.

A fourth eyewitness travelling along the Trans-Canada Highway observed the aircraft from a distance of about one-quarter mile, crossing the highway from left to right. He estimated that the aircraft was about 70 feet above the highway. He stated that, although he could not see the righthand side of the aircraft, he could tell it was very bright on that side. He could not see any flames but thought that it was brighter than it should have been.

A fifth eyewitness travelling along the Trans-Canada Highway observed the aircraft lights from a position two and one-half miles west of the accident site, as the aircraft passed over the highway from left to right. He described a yellow light which appeared to be on the wing.

Several other witnesses observed portions of the take-off roll and brief flight which followed. None described observations consistent with a glow or fire. One of these witnesses was the air traffic controller on duty in the control tower. He observed the take-off of the aircraft until it descended below trees beyond the departure end of the runway. He did not observe any sign of fire or glow other than appropriate aircraft lighting. A second witness observed the take-off of the aircraft from a vantage point on the airport ramp, south of the main terminal building. He also observed the take-off until the aircraft descended below trees beyond the departure end of the runway and reported seeing no fir or anything else unusual other than the aircraft's failure to continue to climb.