B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
After engine start; we had a REVERSER light for #2 engine on overhead; ran QRH and began to return to gate for Maintenance. At that time; an aircraft behind us reported that they observed a tailpipe fire on the #1 engine. We did not have any flight deck indication of a fire. We ran the QRC and QRH for an engine tailpipe fire. After parking on the gate; ARFF showed up and confirmed that there was not presently a fire. The ground crew also reported that there was a flame coming from the back of the #1 engine and it went out.  We deplaned and contract maintenance inspected the engine and found there to be no damage from the reported fire.
First Officer reported #2 Engine REVERSER light illuminated on engine start with a subsequent tailpipe fine on #1 engine; causing a return to the gate.