Narrative:

During takeoff roll at approximately 80 KIAS the fas (flight attendants) alerted the flight deck with four chimes followed by four chimes. A rejected takeoff was accomplished. While taxiing clear of the runway the flight attendants said the alert was caused by three passengers on the left side of the aircraft at row 22 yelled 'fire' three times after observing a fire ball from the aft of engine number 1. Tower reported that no fire or smoke was observed from our aircraft. An airport operations person was nearby and made a visual inspection of our aircraft and reported no fire or smoke coming from the engine. At no time during the takeoff roll and subsequent reject were there any indications or warnings of engine fire; overheat; high egt; high fuel flow; or compressor stall. Brake cooling calculations were made through [performance data calculator.] no cooling time was required. We taxied to a gate and deplaned the passengers. Dispatch; maintenance control; the chief pilot were contacted. A logbook entry was made and mechanics were called out. Required inspections and a five minute engine run were performed. No abnormalities were found and the aircraft was returned to service.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-700 flight crew reported rejecting a takeoff due to a call from flight attendants who said passengers saw flames coming out the number one engine.

Narrative: During takeoff roll at approximately 80 KIAS the FAs (Flight Attendants) alerted the flight deck with four chimes followed by four chimes. A rejected takeoff was accomplished. While taxiing clear of the runway the flight attendants said the alert was caused by three passengers on the left side of the aircraft at row 22 yelled 'FIRE' three times after observing a fire ball from the aft of engine Number 1. Tower reported that no fire or smoke was observed from our aircraft. An Airport Operations person was nearby and made a visual inspection of our aircraft and reported no fire or smoke coming from the engine. At no time during the takeoff roll and subsequent reject were there any indications or warnings of engine fire; overheat; high EGT; high fuel flow; or compressor stall. Brake cooling calculations were made through [performance data calculator.] No cooling time was required. We taxied to a gate and deplaned the passengers. Dispatch; Maintenance Control; the Chief Pilot were contacted. A logbook entry was made and Mechanics were called out. Required inspections and a five minute engine run were performed. No abnormalities were found and the aircraft was returned to service.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.