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 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.

Fire crews raced to the scene and were seen on the runway deployed fire fighting foam as a precaution.

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

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

More to come.