Reports of an engine fire on a Malaysia Airlines flight from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur – which saw the plane turn around – may have been a false alarm.

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The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) said the flight was forced to return to Melbourne after a fire.

More than 300 passengers, who are safe, were estimated to be onboard the plane on Friday.

But according to Melbourne radio station 3AW, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has inspected the plane and found no evidence of a fire.

The airline themselves took to Twitter on Friday afternoon with a similar version of events.

MH148 MEL-KUL made an air-turn back and landed uneventfully. The aircraft is being grounded for investigation. More details to follow.

— Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) June 12, 2015

[MH148] Preliminary inspection on the aircraft reveals no physical evidence of fire externally. Safety is our utmost priority.

— Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) June 12, 2015

Paramedics were on the scene at the Airport but it has caused no major interruption to the afternoon’s proceedings.

Melbourne Airport posted on Twitter: “All operations at Melbourne Airport continue as normal.”

– with ABC