PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 1080
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Human Factors
Tried to start the aircraft but it didn't want to start. I let it cool down then tried again. Then I smelled a burning smell. I told my friend to exit the aircraft; then I went to check the engine. When I opened [the cowling] I noticed that there was [a] fire. I told my friend to get as far as possible from the aircraft because we had no time to try to [extinguish] the fire. It was next to the fuel tanks. Then I called [ATC and] told them to send the fire people because the aircraft engine is on fire. [A] few minutes later they came and [extinguished] the fire.
PA-28 pilot reported experiencing an engine fire during a start attempt.