B737-800
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Gate
Aircraft
Pushed back from gate and ramp asked us to push deep in alley for an inbound flight. We started up normally; waited for the inbound; which was a tow-in and now had vehicles blocking parking. The bottom line is we sat for a good 10 minutes with engines running before we were cleared for taxi. Finally we moved forward toward the top of the alley; about that time we asked Ground for taxi when we were told our left engine was on fire. We made a couple of calls to confirm it was us; the Captain stopped the aircraft and he moved the left start lever to cutoff. At the time we had no internal indications of fire or abnormal indications. The Captain then pulled the left fire handle. At the same time a ground Marshaller was pointing and signaling a fire by wanding the horizontal infinity symbol. While this was going on I pulled out the QRH and started reviewing the Evacuation Checklist in case the problem escalated. After shutting down the engine down; ramp told us the fire was out. The Captain talked to the cabin crew and made a PA to notify about the malfunction and to remain seated while situation was under control. The FIRE trucks arrived and confirmed the fire was out. Since the situation was resolved; we coordinated for tow back to gate.Overall I thought the situation was handled well. Since our ground crew was gone and we had been engines running for a good while; a fire indication from ramp/ground could mean a lot of things. It was dark outside so I am sure it got quicker attention than it might have during daylight. We were not given any specifics so we reacted to mitigate the situation and eliminate the threats. After reviewing the QRH later we realized that the only checklist that might have applied was Tailpipe fire. I always assumed that might happen during an engine start; not 10 minutes after so it didn't cross my mind as a possible scenario at the time. By the time we got someone on intercom the fire was out. Kudos to the Captain for staying calm and preventing an escalation of the situation.
While departing the ramp; notified by ramp control of left engine fire. Shut down left engine and accomplished QRH items. After inspection by ARFF towed back into gate.
B737-800 flight crew is informed of an engine fire during taxi out of the alley. With no indications inside the aircraft; the Captain moves the start lever to cutoff and pulls the fire handle eliminating the visible fire. The aircraft is towed back to the gate.