Melbourne tram ‘explodes’ on track causing traffic chaos

A Melbourne tram has exploded on a track into the city, causing peak hour traffic chaos and shutting down eight separate routes.

Witnesses reported seeing flames burning underneath the tram and hearing a loud explosion after a power line collapsed.

One woman said horrified commuters were trying to flee from the burning tram when another explosion rang out.

Witnesses reported seeing flames burning underneath the tram and hearing a loud explosion after a power line reportedly collapsed

Yarra Trams said the explosion was due to a ‘power fault’ after a power line ‘crashed down’. 

‘There are no trams between St Kilda Junction and City Square in Melbourne,’ a spokesman said, advising commuters to look for alternative bus routes.

Kate, who was walking near the Toorak Road and St Kilda Road intersection, said there were multiple explosions. 

‘Oh my God, I feel sick! It was terrible,’ she told 3AW. ‘People were trying to get off, and then it exploded again.

‘All the workman around that area all told (the passengers) to get off the tram from the other side because there was fire; they couldn’t see there was fire under the tram.

‘I don’t know how it didn’t actually destroy the whole tram.’ 

 One woman said horrified commuters were trying to flee from the burning tram when another explosion rang out

Yarra Trams said the explosion, which has disrupted eight routes into the city, was due to a ‘power fault’.