B757-200
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 5000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Just after takeoff; we both noticed a smoke odor. Shortly thereafter; a Flight Attendant called. The Captain answered and was told something like 'we may have a fire in the cabin.' He declared an emergency and we started downwind. We were turned in for a short final and landed; turning off to the right on Charlie. We noticed the cockpit temperature was in the 90's and we turned off the left pack. After talking with the fire department and flight attendants and hearing that they did not see smoke or fire at that point; the Captain decided to not evacuate and we returned to our gate.
Immediately noticed the smell of something burning. Could not tell initially if it was electrical; mechanical; etc. Approximately 1;000 feet received Cabin Call saying they thought we were 'on fire' or 'had a fire.' I told them we would be landing immediately. Co-pilot was flying; I told her to turn right; plan a right downwind. Notified ATC we had a possible fire; declared an emergency; and told them we intended to make right traffic for immediate landing. There were frequency changes; request for FOB and SOB. First Officer set up for landing while I tried to keep up with ATC. As we descended the burning smell started to dissipate; so I was convinced we were not 'on fire' Decided not to have them prep cabin as we had turned final at this point. Normal landing and immediately requested rescue crews observations for smoke. They reported no smoke; left pack temp went full hot; so we turned it off. Normal taxi back to gate.
On takeoff B757 flight crew smells smoke and moments later a call from the cabin indicates there may be a fire. Crew elects to return immediately and does so. An overheated pack is suspected and turned off after landing.