Dramatic images show on-field blaze before Titans-Colts kickoff

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Sept. 15, 2019, 7:09 PM UTC

By Tim Stelloh

A fire erupted on the field at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sunday, just as the Tennessee Titans were preparing to kick off their home opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

A fire from a pyrotechnics machine is extinguished before a football game against the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium in Tenn. on Sept. 15, 2019.Wade Payne / AP

Video taken just feet from the flames showed pyrotechnical workers trying to contain the blaze. A tower of black smoke could be seen wafting through the stadium.

A fire just erupted here on the field. The staff at Nissan Stadium handled it swiftly. pic.twitter.com/Rma8D8Q1fJ
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 15, 2019

The Associated Press reported that stadium staff extinguished the blaze as the National Anthem was sung.

Pyrotechnical equipment used for pregame festivities was to blame for the fire, which broke out near the 5-yard line, the AP reported.

A Titans spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tim Stelloh

Tim Stelloh is a reporter for NBC News, based in California.