Massachusetts’ MGM Springfield casino was evacuated after a fire broke out Saturday, linked to a restaurant at the gaming property. The blaze was largely confined to duct work associated with the eatery, but the smoke spread to the upper floors of the complex, prompting immediate action.
The Springfield Fire Department first received the alert at 5:39 p.m. on Saturday. In response, the building’s sprinkler system was activated, and both guests and employees were evacuated, remaining outside for several hours as safety measures were implemented.
Initially, firefighters were informed that only one floor of the casino was affected by the smoke. However, upon further inspection, they discovered that the smoke had spread across multiple floors. Flames were observed to be largely contained within the ducts that ran from the kitchen of Chandler Steakhouse to the building’s roof, according to regional news site MassLive. Another regional outlet, Western Mass News, confirmed that smoke was visible on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of the casino.
Fire crews proceeded to the roof, where they tackled both the flames and the sparks emanating from the ducts. The fire had partially ignited the roof, adding another layer of complexity to their efforts. After working diligently, firefighters managed to bring the fire under control and spent hours subsequently ventilating the remaining smoke from the building.
A few hours later, clearance was given for workers and visitors to re-enter most parts of the casino. However, Chandler Steakhouse has announced a temporary closure until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, as per a notice on the restaurant’s website, which also mentioned that the eatery typically remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
There have been no initial reports of injuries involving firefighters, staff, or visitors within the building. Fire officials have yet to provide an estimate for the damage sustained in the incident. It was not immediately clear if all the smoke had been completely cleared from the casino complex by Saturday night.
By Sunday, the Springfield Fire Department’s Arson and Bomb Squad continued to investigate the cause of the blaze. In total, the response involved six fire engines, three trucks, a rescue vehicle, and three chiefs attending to the situation.
Adding more intrigue to the situation, Bloomberg News reported earlier this year that MGM Resorts might be considering the sale of MGM Springfield. The casino, which opened approximately six years ago, was constructed with an investment of nearly $1 billion from MGM Resorts. It features around 1,500 slot machines, a poker room, and numerous table games, making it a significant player in the regional gaming market.
