MD-83
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
As we entered arrival area for our final destination; ATC informed us airport was closed due to disabled aircraft on runway. No WX alternate required per flight plan; so we diverted to a nearby airport. Informed Dispatch via ACARS [and] received our divert airport as our alternate. Dispatcher informed us (after landing) that they had declared min fuel for us with ATC. We landed with 5;000 pounds. Gate arrival was right at our 'non extended' (Flight Duty Period) FDP day. After discussion; we both decided we were fit for duty for an extension and that this was 'unforeseen operational circumstance per FAR 117. Coordinated with Dispatch for FDP extension. Pushed off gate for our original destination. On starting left engine; ATC advised us they observed 'some kind of unusual fire/smoke from left engine.' All engine indications normal. We shut down engine and towed back to gate for maintenance inspection. With this additional delay; and with ATC now reporting ground stop for ZZZ; we decided it was unfeasible to depart and reasonably stay within FDP extension time. Advised Dispatch.
Not sure if I even need to file a report for this; but when our filed destination airport shutdown due to a disabled aircraft on the runway; we diverted to a nearby airport. Dispatch declared 'Min Fuel' for our flight. We did not declare 'min fuel'.  We had 6600 pounds about 10 minutes out from the airport.
A MD-83 shut an engine down during start after Ground Control reported 'some kind of unusual fire/smoke from our left engine'.