Flames engulfed a construction zone in the third level of the Denver Broncos Empower Field at Mile High Stadium Thursday. The Denver fire department was dispatched and extinguished the fire with no reported injuries.
“A small fire that occurred in a construction zone near the East Club Lounge at Empower Field at Mile High has been contained by @Denver_Fire. That area of the stadium was quickly evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries sustained,” Empower Field at Mile High said in a tweet.
Denver Fire Department (DFD) posted pictures of black smoke engulfing rows of seats as water splashed in the air. Fans also shared photos of smoke rising in the air above the stadium amidst the pandemonium.
A “significant fire”
Greg Pixley, the public information officer for the local fire department, told reporters that at least 1,000 estimated feet were victimized by the flames in what was a “significant fire.”
“Sprinklers attempted to stop the fire, but firefighters were needed to complete extinguishment,” said the fire department on Twitter. “Heavy fire & smoke was found on our arrival.”
#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
Video suggests that the fire began in the suite level of Broncos seating and then expanded into nearby areas. The cause of the fire still remains unclear.
There was an ongoing event on the second level of Mile High around the time of the fire, revealed Pixley. Close to 100 people may have been in attendance, unaware of the nearby burning.
A local television station reported that smoke could be seen circulating Mile High and dispersing into the sky from miles away.
History of Mile High
The 76,000–plus capacity stadium known as Mile High opened in 2001 and has hosted the Denver Broncos ever since. This included during their 2014 run to a Super Bowl ring with Peyton Manning, as well as 10 years of team legend and future Hall-of-Famer Von Miller.
The stadium has adapted its name multiple times due to changes with sponsorships but ultimately settled on Empower Field at Mile High in 2019.
There has been a renewed sense of optimism in the area since the Broncos traded for Seattle Seahawks Super-Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, sending Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, and picks in the other direction. Denver also reached a deal with edge-rusher Randy Gregory to partner Bradley Chubb on the outside of the defense.
This could also be Denver’s best chance to compete for an AFC West title since 2015 now that they have made significant upgrades and the Kansas City Chiefs have lost Tyreek Hill in a trade with the Miami Dolphins. However, the Los Angeles Raiders’ signing of Davante Adams and the Los Angeles Chargers’ acquisition of J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack will increase the competition throughout the whole division.
The next event being held at the team’s stadium is a monster truck show and will not be until April 23, per Empower Field’s website, which provides plenty of time to clean up and restore the stadium to its usual glory.
Multiple news outlets have reached out to the Broncos and updates should follow.
