Frightening scenes as Etihad plane with almost 300 passengers on board catches fire during take-off at Melbourne Airport

An Eithad plane with almost 300 passengers on board has been forced to abort take-off after its landing gear caught fire and caused two wheels to explode.

Etihad Airways flight EY461 bound for Abu Dhabi was just before takeoff at Melbourne Airport on Sunday evening when the drama unfolded.

Footage from the scene shows the plane on the tarmac surrounded by fire trucks.

The fire brigade used fire-fighting foam as a precaution.

The Boeing plane has two deflated wheels and remains stuck on runway 34, which is currently closed.

The pre-flight emergency has led to lengthy delays in departures and arrivals at Melbourne Airport.

There’s more to come.