Narrative:

During climb at approximately 6000 feet and ten miles north of our departure airport; the master warning alarm triggered indicating a number one engine fire. During the first few seconds of this event; it became very apparent to me that this was not a false indication due to the large fire that quickly and completely engulfed the number one engine. I initiated the 'memory item' procedures for an engine fire while the first officer completed the appropriate actions. He shut the engine down; pulled the fire handle; and after ten-seconds discharged the first fire bottle. I declared an emergency with approach and began a turn back toward our departure airport. At some point during the initial stages of this event; the number two flight attendant called to inform me that the number one engine was on fire. I told him that we were in the process of extinguishing the fire; and that he had about five minutes to prepare for an emergency landing at our departure airport. After the first bottle was discharged; the first officer began a timer and went to the appropriate checklist. The fire did not extinguish and in my opinion was getting worse. After 30 seconds the first officer discharged bottle number two. I was now in contact with tower and informed them of the situation. The fire continued as I called the cabin crew to provide them with the emergency information due to the likelihood that we would be evacuating the aircraft on the runway. I informed the tower of this as well. The 'single engine operation' checklist was accomplished by the first officer while I continued for the airport which was in my sight. On short final; I noticed that the fire had begun to subside yet all other indications of fire continued. After touchdown local crash fire rescue equipment informed me that they did not observe any fire. The fire handle and master warning indications had all extinguished. I decided to exit the runway and then brought the aircraft to a stop. I called the cabin crew and told them to stand by while crash fire rescue equipment did a complete inspection of the engine. After they assured me that the fire had been extinguished; and with the concurrence of the tower; I continued to the ramp and deplaned the aircraft normally. Throughout this incident; all crew members remained calm; deliberate; and performed their duties exceptionally well.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An ATR-72 flight crew fought a number one engine fire; declared an emergency and returned to the departure airport.

Narrative: During climb at approximately 6000 feet and ten miles north of our departure airport; the master warning alarm triggered indicating a number one engine fire. During the first few seconds of this event; it became very apparent to me that this was not a false indication due to the large fire that quickly and completely engulfed the number one engine. I initiated the 'memory item' procedures for an engine fire while the First Officer completed the appropriate actions. He shut the engine down; pulled the fire handle; and after ten-seconds discharged the first fire bottle. I declared an emergency with Approach and began a turn back toward our departure airport. At some point during the initial stages of this event; the number two Flight Attendant called to inform me that the number one engine was on fire. I told him that we were in the process of extinguishing the fire; and that he had about five minutes to prepare for an emergency landing at our departure airport. After the first bottle was discharged; the First Officer began a timer and went to the appropriate checklist. The fire did not extinguish and in my opinion was getting worse. After 30 seconds the First Officer discharged bottle number two. I was now in contact with Tower and informed them of the situation. The fire continued as I called the cabin crew to provide them with the emergency information due to the likelihood that we would be evacuating the aircraft on the runway. I informed the Tower of this as well. The 'Single Engine Operation' checklist was accomplished by the First Officer while I continued for the airport which was in my sight. On short final; I noticed that the fire had begun to subside yet all other indications of fire continued. After touchdown local CFR informed me that they did not observe any fire. The fire handle and master warning indications had all extinguished. I decided to exit the runway and then brought the aircraft to a stop. I called the cabin crew and told them to stand by while CFR did a complete inspection of the engine. After they assured me that the fire had been extinguished; and with the concurrence of the Tower; I continued to the ramp and deplaned the aircraft normally. Throughout this incident; all crew members remained calm; deliberate; and performed their duties exceptionally well.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.