Published on: November 10, 2024, 02:54h.

Last updated on: November 10, 2024, 02:54h.

Massachusetts’ MGM Springfield casino underwent evacuation due to a fire outbreak on Saturday that originated from a restaurant within the gaming property.

The fire was mainly contained within the duct work connected to the restaurant. This resulted in the emission of smoke to the upper floors of the establishment.

The Springfield Fire Department was notified about the fire at 5:39 p.m. Sprinklers were activated as a safety measure.

All guests and staff were evacuated and remained outside the premises for several hours.

Initially, firefighters were informed that only one floor of the casino was experiencing smoke inhalation.

However, it was discovered that smoke had spread to multiple floors of the building. The flames seemed to be confined to the ducts leading from the kitchen in Chandler Steakhouse to the roof of the building, as reported by MassLive, a local news site.

Another local news site, Western Mass News, reported smoke sightings on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of the casino.

Firefighters Ascended to the Roof

Fire crews fought the fire on the roof of the building. They successfully extinguished sparks and flames emanating from the ducts. Part of the roof also caught fire, according to news sources.

The fire was brought under control, and firefighters dedicated hours to clearing the remaining smoke from the building.

After a few hours, employees and visitors were permitted to re-enter most parts of the casino.

Temporary Closure of Steakhouse

Chandler Steakhouse will remain closed to the public until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, according to an announcement on the restaurant’s website. The usual closure for the restaurant is on Mondays and Tuesdays.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries within the building involving firefighters, staff, or visitors.

Fire officials refrained from providing an estimate of the damage for structural repairs. It remains uncertain if the smoke has been entirely cleared from the casino complex as of Saturday evening.

The Springfield Fire Department’s Arson and Bomb Squad continued investigating the cause of the fire on Sunday.

In total, six fire engines, three trucks, a rescue vehicle, and three chiefs responded to the incident.

Rumors of MGM Springfield Sale

Earlier this year, Bloomberg News disclosed that MGM Resorts was contemplating the sale of MGM Springfield. The casino commenced operations approximately six years ago, with nearly $1 billion invested by MGM Resorts in constructing the complex.

The casino offers around 1,500 slot machines, a poker room, and an array of table games.