A md-83 shut an engine down during start after ground control reported 'some kind of unusual fire/sm...

Narrative:

As we entered arrival area for our final destination; ATC informed us airport was closed due to disabled aircraft on runway. No WX alternate required per flight plan; so we diverted to a nearby airport. Informed dispatch via ACARS [and] received our divert airport as our alternate. Dispatcher informed us (after landing) that they had declared min fuel for us with ATC. We landed with 5;000 pounds. Gate arrival was right at our 'non extended' (flight duty period) fdp day. After discussion; we both decided we were fit for duty for an extension and that this was 'unforeseen operational circumstance per far 117. Coordinated with dispatch for fdp extension. Pushed off gate for our original destination. On starting left engine; ATC advised us they observed 'some kind of unusual fire/smoke from left engine.' all engine indications normal. We shut down engine and towed back to gate for maintenance inspection. With this additional delay; and with ATC now reporting ground stop for ZZZ; we decided it was unfeasible to depart and reasonably stay within fdp extension time. Advised dispatch.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A MD-83 shut an engine down during start after Ground Control reported 'some kind of unusual fire/smoke from our left engine'.

Narrative: As we entered arrival area for our final destination; ATC informed us airport was closed due to disabled aircraft on runway. No WX alternate required per flight plan; so we diverted to a nearby airport. Informed Dispatch via ACARS [and] received our divert airport as our alternate. Dispatcher informed us (after landing) that they had declared min fuel for us with ATC. We landed with 5;000 pounds. Gate arrival was right at our 'non extended' (Flight Duty Period) FDP day. After discussion; we both decided we were fit for duty for an extension and that this was 'unforeseen operational circumstance per FAR 117. Coordinated with Dispatch for FDP extension. Pushed off gate for our original destination. On starting left engine; ATC advised us they observed 'some kind of unusual fire/smoke from left engine.' All engine indications normal. We shut down engine and towed back to gate for maintenance inspection. With this additional delay; and with ATC now reporting ground stop for ZZZ; we decided it was unfeasible to depart and reasonably stay within FDP extension time. Advised Dispatch.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1157262
Time
Date	201403
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-83
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Turbine Engine
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A md-83 shut an engine down during start after ground control reported 'some kind of unusual fire/smoke from our left engine'.