The Associated Press is reporting that the Charlotte-Memphis game was delayed and almost 12,000 people had to be evacuated from FedEx Forum Sunday afternoon after authorities said a small fire broke out in an elevator shaft.

It was quickly extinguished and fire officials were venting smoke and preparing to let people re-enter the arena at about 3:20 p.m. -- nearly 20 minutes after the game against Charlotte was scheduled to begin, said Latina McNeil, spokeswoman for the Memphis Fire Department.

No one was reported injured, she said.

The alarm sounded about a minute before game time and fans were told to leave the building, which took about 10 minutes to clear.