B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Confusion; Workload; Time Pressure
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Shortly after takeoff; the Flight Attendants called the flight deck and reported that Passengers were yelling that there was a fire on the left side of the aircraft. We had not yet reached our 1000 feet clean up altitude and were just beginning a turn to the west on the departure. We had no fire/overheat indications on the flight deck and all engine readings were normal. However; the intensity and concern in the Flight Attendants' report was evident; and we elected to [advise ATC] and continue our turn onto a left downwind for a return to the runway. We immediately informed the FAs of the plan to return and; given the lack of abnormal indications on the flight deck; informed them that we did not anticipate an evacuation. I flew a normal and uneventful visual approach and exited. Crash Fire Rescue immediately informed us that there was no visual indication of any fire or smoke. We verified this with Crash Fire Rescue and then elected to do a normal shut down of the number one engine as a precaution. The Flight Attendants were then contacted and informed that we still did not have any fire indications on the flight deck and that Crash Fire Rescue did not see any indications of fire or smoke. We asked the FAs again if they saw any visual indication of fire or smoke and they confirmed that there was not. At that point we elected to return to the gate.
I am not sure if there was anything more that could have been done to prevent the situation. Numerous Passengers reported seeing a fire from an engine. Although all engine indications were normal; return to airport as a precaution was the correct decision.
After takeoff; some B737-700 passengers claimed the number 1 engine was on fire; so as a precaution the crew returned to the departure airport. No fire or overheat warnings alerted during flight.