Melbourne commuters get explosion scare

Melbourne commuters have been forced to rush to the back of a train after a series of power line connector explosions during the morning peak hour.

Passengers on a Metro train

Passengers have rushed to the back of a Melbourne train when its power line connectors exploded. (AAP) Source: AAP

Melbourne commuters have been forced to rush to the back of a train after power line connectors exploded during the morning peak hour.

Witnesses reported at least six explosions from the roof of an outbound train, which came to a halt between Flinders Street and Richmond station about 7.20 am on Thursday.

"I was just pulling my car into the Fed Square car park about 7.15 this morning ... I heard this massive sort of spark and crack and saw some smoke coming up," Ben Yeo told 3AW.

Mr Yeo, who recorded a video of the incident, said he saw a small fire coming from the roof of the train.

Another witness told AAP they saw six, bright flashes and what appeared to be flame and smoke coming from the roof the train, although a Metro Trains spokeswoman insists there was no fire.

"At no point were passengers in danger but we understand that it would have been concerning for our passengers to see sparks," Metro spokeswoman Sammie Black said.

"As a safety precaution, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade attended and left shortly after as there was no safety risk or fire."

The MFB attended but quickly left, describing the incident as a "non-event".

The loud explosion sound sent 30 passengers on the outbound train scrambling to the back carriage where they were stranded for up to an hour.

Another 300 people were riding an inbound train subsequently brought to a standstill.

Metro staff arrived just before 8.30 am to help

Commuters disembarked both trains about 8.30am with the help of Metro staff and walked along the tracks to Flinders Street Station.

Delays were expected into Thursday afternoon while repairs and investigations were conducted.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world