By Alexander Darling
A fire underneath the rail line at a major choke point on the metropolitan network led to major delays on five Melbourne train lines on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to reports of flames and smoke spanning about 15 metres by 20 metres coming from the underside of a railway bridge at Rosslyn Street, West Melbourne, near Festival Hall, about 3pm.
A fire under a railway bridge in West Melbourne has disrupted train services.Credit: Eddie Jim
Trains were halted between Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations while fire crews fought the blaze, causing crowding on platforms.
The fire was brought under control just after 3.30pm. Delays on the Upfield, Werribee, Sunbury, Williamstown and Craigieburn lines, as well as regional Victorian services, had eased to 10 minutes by about 5:30pm.
Smoke was seen coming from the bridge.Credit: Nine News Melbourne
“Significant smoke in the area was impacting the train line,” said an FRV spokesperson.
“Three crews donned breathing apparatus to search for the seat of the fire and contained the blaze to the underpass. Crews also checked for fire and smoke extension underneath the rail structure. Trains were stopped in both directions.
The fire sent smoke billowing through the railway bridge between Southern Cross Station and North Melbourne.Credit: Ruth Skene
“There was evidence that the building had been inhabited by squatters. A search confirmed no persons inside the structure.”
No injuries were reported.
On Wednesday night, police said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined, and that it was being treated as suspicious.