Passengers flee as sparks fly from Melbourne tram after electricity surge

Tram passengers have been filmed fleeing from carriages in Melbourne's CBD after an electrical issue caused sparks to fly.

Video posted to YouTube shows large sparks flying from the front of a tram stopped at Flinders Street Station, before a loud bang can be heard.

The tram’s doors then open and the passengers run to safety.

Some of the passengers can be heard screaming as they run to the footpath.

More sparks can then be seen flying from the tram.

The man who recorded the video, Arafath Jiffry, told 9news.com.au the incident happened just after 8pm on November 17.

A Yarra Trams spokeswoman told 9NEWS the video was recorded when a power failure brought trams to a standstill on Swanston Street and St Kilda Road for almost four hours on November 17. 

She said the sparks were caused by an electricity surge after a powerline came down at the intersection of Flinders Street and Swanston Street.

The safety of passengers was not at risk, the spokeswoman said.

It is believed no one was injured during the incident.