burnley tunnel crash

Burnley Tunnel fiery crash, 3 dead

At least three people are dead after a multi-vehicle crash set off explosions and a fire inside Melbourne's busy Burnley Tunnel today, authorities said.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade warned of possible further deaths following the incident, which sent black smoke pouring from stacks above the city centre tunnel and caused traffic gridlock.

The accident forced the closure and evacuation of both the Burnley and Domain tunnels.

Truck driver Matt Galea said he saw flames reach the roof of the tunnel and felt shock waves from a series of explosions little more than 100 metres in front of him.

"Being in the cab I was a bit higher than other motorists and could see over the vehicles in front and just saw these huge flames hit the roof.

"The next thing I knew was the emergency system instructing all drivers to stop their cars, turn off their ignitions, and leave their cars."

Other witnesses reported seeing a truck broken down with blown-out tyre, which another truck swerved to avoid, causing a collision with other vehicles.

Motorists entering the tunnel after the incident were advised to abandon their vehicles and walk out.

Mr Mann said the fire in the tunnel was brought under control at 11.14am and had since been since extinguished.

"There's diesel leaking from one of the trucks that we're just containing now,'' he said.

"The good thing is that the emergency plans that were put in place worked very well,'' he said.