An Eithad plane with almost 300 passengers on board has been forced to abort take-off after its landing gear caught on fire and caused two wheels to explode.
Etihad Airways flight EY461 bound for Abu Dhabi was moments from take-off at Melbourne Airport on Sunday night when the drama unfolded.
Footage from the scene shows the plane on the tarmac surrounded by fire trucks.
Fire crews deployed firefighting foam as a precaution.
A passenger on board told 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate that the plane ‘had to slam on the emergency brakes’ during take-off.
The Boeing 787 jet has two deflated wheels and remains on runway 34, which is currently closed.
The 289 passengers on board have since disembarked from the plane.
There are no reports of any injuries.
The emergency has caused lengthy delays in departures and arrivals at Melbourne Airport.
More to come.