Officials at RAF Mildenhall have confirmed that an emergency landing by a B-52 was caused by an engine fire.

Ipswich Star: Tony Kelly spotted the plane flying over Woodstock Farm Campsite near Wereham. Picture: Tony KellyTony Kelly spotted the plane flying over Woodstock Farm Campsite near Wereham. Picture: Tony Kelly (Image: Archant)

The American bomber is part of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

It was taking part in an exercise over Europe on Monday, June 17, when it experienced an in-flight emergency.

A spokesman from RAF Mildenhall said: "The in-flight emergency was declared as a result of an engine fire warning. The aircrew took proper precautions to address the emergency, and landed safely at RAF Mildenhall, England.

"Emergency response crews extinguished the fire, and no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. The B-52 will remain at RAF Mildenhall until repairs are made, and the aircraft can return safely to Minot AFB."

Ipswich Star: A B-52 had to make an emergency landing at RAF Mildenhall. Photo: Stewart JackA B-52 had to make an emergency landing at RAF Mildenhall. Photo: Stewart Jack (Image: Stewart Jack)

The spokesman also confirmed that the B-52 was unarmed during its flight.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry said: "The crews of Russian Su-27 fighter jets have intercepted US Air Force B-52H strategic bombers, that approached Russian state border from the Black and Baltic seas."

Russian TV station RT reported that the same plane was intercepted by Russian fighter jets as it flew over the Baltic and Black Seas.

RT said that the B-52s did not cross the Russian border but highlighted that US aircraft have been active in the area for a number of years.

The plane was spotted by a number of people on social media as it circled the base burning off fuel before landing.

Flight enthusiasts were excited to see the B-52 as it is a rare sight over Norfolk.

Chris Stone travelled from Norwich to Mildenhall when he heard of the landing.

He said: "It circled west off Norwich, King's Lynn and Bury St Edmunds before landing around 7pm. I just took about a 40-mile trip from Norwich to see it has I have never seen one before."

The B-52 has been used by the United States Air Force since 1955 and featured in the Cold War, Vietnam War and the Gulf War.