Metrolink services halted due to 'underground fire' in Manchester city centre

Greater Manchester's Metrolink service is facing major disruption after an underground fire near Victoria Station.

Emergency services are at the scene and road closures are in place.

Transport for Greater Manchester and Metrolink say it's believed a small fire was caused by a build-up of small gas - damaging equipment and causing a power outage.

Two engineers are believed to have suffered minor injuries and are being treated for them.

All lines were suspended around 10am this morning, though some are now up and running again.

Customers unable to travel on the network can use their ticket on local bus and train services.

It's not known when the full network will be back up and running as the power has been turned off as a precaution whilst teams investigate.

Some passengers are complaining about being stuck on trams.

TfGM’s Head of Metrolink Danny Vaughan, said: “We are working with the Metrolink operator and emergency services in response to this incident and to understand the cause.

“We understand two engineers suffered minor injury and are receiving treatment and we wish them a quick recovery.

“We don’t currently know how long services will be disrupted for but have put ticket acceptance in place to help customers continue with their journeys.

“We’ll be making sure we keep people informed with the latest developments as soon as possible and I’d encourage people to check our website and social media channels for that.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police says:

"At around 9.20am today (Wednesday 9 March 2021), police were called to reports of an incident on the Metrolink system in Manchester city centre.

Following an under-ground electrical issue on Balloon Street, which would have been accompanied by a loud bang, two people have received minor injuries whilst carrying out work inside a manhole.

Police, alongside colleagues from GMFRS and NWAS are in attendance and there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

Corporation Street and Balloon Street are currently closed.

Superintendent Helen Critchley from the City of Manchester Division said: "No doubt the heavy emergency services presence, and the loud noise as a result of the electrical issue will have caused some concern - but I want to reassure the public that we are dealing with it, and believe this to be an isolated incident, which emergency services are working together on to bring to a swift conclusion.

We would also like to ask people to please avoid the area at this time."