A FIRE truck became beached on a raised segment of tram track causing traffic chaos in the CBD.

The MFS rescue vehicle was responding to a call out with other units at 6.30pm on Wednesday when the driver attempted to use the tram tracks to get around peak-hour traffic on North Tce. The accident happened in poor visibility outside Parliament House.

media_camera A MFS fire truck got stuck on the newly installed raised tram line outside Parliament House on North Tce. Picture: AAP / Brenton Edwards

As the 20-tonne fire truck slipped it landed on a car, wedging the driver side door shut. The driver was not injured and the car sustained only minor damage.

Trams were replaced with buses while the rescue effort was underway.

It took two exhausting hours for the MFS and transport personnel to prop up the truck, using planks of wood to pull it back on to the track with the aid of a heavy tow truck about 8.30pm.

media_camera Crews work to free the MFS truck from the tram track. Picture: AAP / Brenton Edwards

MFS Commander Greg Davis said when the tyre skidded off the tram track the driver knew it was too late.

“Our rescue appliance was returning from one incident and responding to another going through traffic and as they wove through, their tyre got stuck on an elevated section of tram track,” Mr Davis said.

“When that occurred it dragged the truck up on to track and it was unable to steer. By the time we were able to stop the appliance it was already off the ground.

“Being a heavy truck, weighing 20 tonnes, we had to crib it to make sure it wasn’t going to roll over before we got a heavy tow truck to pull us out.

media_camera The truck became stuck in bad weather conditions. Picture: AAP / Brenton Edwards

Mr Davis said the police and transport department did a great job supporting them while the rescue effort continued.

As for the driver, Mr Davis defended the experienced firefighter and said he had already spoken to him about the incident.

“I had a talk to the driver, he is highly experienced and being a rescue truck they go to horrible incidents all the time so they are very mindful of making sure that we get their safely,” Mr Davis said.

media_camera The MFS truck was on the tram tracks for about two hours. Picture: AAP / Brenton Edwards

“It’s a pretty dark night, it was raining and it was difficult to see with the lights of cars, so I think it was just one of those things that occur even when we are doing our best and doing it safely.

“I had a talk to him to make sure he was OK and he was still confident.

“I think the family who were in the car are keen to come down to the station with their kids and we are certainly happy to let them come down and see all the trucks and have a chat.”