Fire breaks out at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Authorities are investigating a fire that broke out at Empower Field at Mile High Thursday afternoon.

According to 9News, a plume of smoke was visible from Empower Field at Mile High just after 2:15 p.m. The Denver Fire Department (DFD) managed to get the fire under control around 2:40 p.m.

According to DFD, sprinklers tried putting out the fire, but firefighters were needed to completely extinguish the flames.

"This type of plastic that the seats are composed of, burns with – not only significant ferocity – very, very large flames, but also produces a tremendous amount of black smoke due to the synthetics and petroleum products that are used," Denver Fire Capt. Greg Pixley said during a press conference. "That meant that that fire was going to need a great deal of help from our firefighters."

Officials with Empower Field at Mile High said the fire occurred in a construction zone near the East Club Lounge. That area was evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries sustained.

9News reports the fire burned part of the suite and third-level seating area. Pixley estimated the fire was at least 1,000 square feet.

According to Pixley, a similar fire happened when the old Mile High Stadium was torn down and plastic seats caught on fire. He went on to say the department's firefighters have experience with that type of fire.

Our Denver news partners shared a stream from a camera at the stadium below:

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.