The Antonov An-2 was damaged when the right hand wings caught fire during start-up of the engine at Gera-Leumnitz Airport, Germany. The eight skydivers and pilot were able to evacuate and the fire was put out by personnel using five hand fire extinguishers. A flame was emitted from the engine exhaust on the right hand side of the engine. According to the Flight Manual, when starting the radial engine a flame may occur if there is fuel leaking from the cylinders in the exhaust manifold and it ignites. For this reason suitable fire extinguishing agents should always be available on the right hand side of the fuselage near the exhaust outlet of the exhaust manifold.