A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
Shortly after starting engines and completing the after start flow we received a call from the aft flight attendants saying there was a strong smell of fuel in the cabin. Almost simultaneously Ground Control called us and said there was a large amount of fluid under the aircraft; making a trail behind us and it appeared to be coming from our plane. We then started the APU back up; shut down both engines and called operations to get towed back to a gate and send the ARFF (Airport Rescue and Firefighting) as a precaution. Passengers were deplaned after returning to gate.
A321 First Officer reported ground gate return due to fuel fumes throughout the cabin during taxi. Simultaneously Ground Control reported large amount of fluid under aircraft.