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

Broncos' Empower Field at Mile High catches fire

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Mar 24, 2022 7:14 PM ET

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:

#DenverFireDepartment crews are extinguishing a fire at Mile high stadium, 1701 Bryant. Unknown cause at this time, but fire affected has affected the suite are and the third level seating area. pic.twitter.com/vjnLaQg55X
— Denver Fire Department (@Denver_Fire) March 24, 2022

Fire now under control at Mile high Stadium. Sprinklers attempted to stop the fire, but firefighters were needed to complete extinguishment. Heavy fire & smoke was found on our arrival media briefing to take place at 3:00 p.m. on east side of stadium. @DenSafetyDept @CityofDenver pic.twitter.com/7AjPg1x1AN
— Denver Fire Department (@Denver_Fire) March 24, 2022

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.

When you go on a tour at Broncos Stadium and have to interrupt your tour guide to let him know there’s some seats on fire across the field… pic.twitter.com/4DZmTnclsD
— Kate Braboy (@katebraboy) March 24, 2022

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

Call it a “small yet significant” fire at Empower Field. Broncos described as “small” fire. Denver Fire called it “significant.” Both can be true. Broncos were having enhancements done to East Club Lounge seating area when it appeared some metal work sparked per source. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) March 24, 2022

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

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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