Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, caught on fire Thursday afternoon.
In a bit of a scary moment, the Denver Broncos‘ home stadium Empower Field at Mile High caught on fire.
The Denver Fire Department acted swiftly to put out the fire. While the cause of the fire is unknown at this time, it affected third-level seating and the surrounding suite area. Though the sprinklers helped in stopping the fire, firefighters were needed to fully extinguish all the flames on the affected seating areas. The fire was deemed a heavy one, accompanied with plenty of smoke.
Here is what the fire looked like from outside of the stadium.
And here is what the Denver Fire Department tweeted out to assess the overall damage.
Mile High on fire: Denver Broncos stadium catches fire on Thursday afternoon
The good news for the Broncos is the damage done by the fire was contained. Given that it is late March, the Broncos will have plenty of time to repair the damaged area before the preseason arrives. Broncos Country is expecting the team to have its best season since winning Super Bowl 50. This is because Denver traded for Russell Wilson in a massive deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Wilson leaves the Pacific Northwest for the Rocky Mountains, hoping to bring Broncos Country a fourth Lombardi Trophy. The Broncos are a well-run organization, but they have had their issues at the quarterback position when they are not led by a hall of famer. Denver has not made the AFC playoffs since Peyton Manning was their quarterback. He played up to John Elway’s lofty standard.
Ultimately, the expectation is for the Broncos to be competitive right away under Wilson, but it may take a couple of years before they win the AFC. The conference is loaded with talent. Denver is also being led by a first-time head coach in former Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. For now, Denver should at least make the AFC playoffs.
It is not every day a majestic football cathedral like Denver has in Mile High Stadium catches fire.