Authorities are investigating how a mechanical fault on a freight train sparked a grassfire along the Hume Highway at Albury in New South Wales.
Several fires started along the railway line next to the highway at about 4pm and authorities later issued a Watch and Act warning for the North Albury area.
One northbound lane and local roads were closed as firefighters tackled the blaze, causing delays to travellers along the highway.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Stewart Alexander said a freight train travelling northbound from Albury suffered a mechanical fault which resulted in several fires along the rail corridor.
"We're not quite sure what [the fault was] just yet but it's obviously created some heat and sparked some embers and started the grassfire which was several kilometres long," he said.
"There doesn't appear to be any damage to the rail infrastructure, however, that will be checked.
"We had some concerns about adjoining factory units and other property on the rail corridor but great work by firefighters to prevent any damage to structures and businesses."
Mr Alexander said the Watch and Act warning had been downgraded to an Advice but urged the community to avoid the area while firefighters fully extinguished the blaze.
Any impact on the rail line and passenger services will be dependent on how quickly the train can be removed from the track.
Mr Alexander praised the quick work of the crew and warned warm conditions forecast for the region should put the community on alert.
"High temperatures have been forecast for the remainder of the week in the border area so I'm urging anyone who sees an unattended fire to call triple-0 immediately so that firefighters can respond and get to work," he said.
