A scary scene unfolded at Empower Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos' Empower Field at Mile High catches fire

This isn't what the Denver Broncos had in mind when analysts have referred to them as one of the "hottest" picks to do damage in the AFC during the 2022 NFL season following the acquisition of one-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson.

As ESPN's Jeff Legwold explained, part of the club level on the east side of Empower Field at Mile High, the Broncos' stadium, caught fire on Thursday at the same time a tour was occurring. No injuries were reported, and Legwold added that Denver Fire Department personnel needed roughly 30 minutes to get the fire under control. It was unclear what started the blaze as of late Thursday afternoon: 

The tour group and also employees in that part of the stadium were all evacuated. The fire reportedly covered "over 1,000 square feet." 

"This type of plastic that the seats are composed of burns with not only significant ferocity ... but also produces a tremendous amount of black smoke,'' Denver Fire Department spokesman Capt. Greg Pixley explained later in the day. 

As Mike Klis of 9News Denver noted, there are conflicting reports regarding the seriousness of the fire and, perhaps, the damage done: 

According to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, the stadium's next event isn't until April 23. 

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