ST KILDA players and officials had a  scare this afternoon when a fire erupted behind the goals at Linen House Centre.

A fire broke out at the neighbouring Belvedere reserve at about 1.30pm on Tuesday afternoon, causing 16 fire trucks and a helicopter to arrive while neighbouring traffic was diverted.

The helicopter dumped several loads of water on the flames, while parts of the newly opened Peninsula Freeway were temporarily closed.

At one stage close flames flickered higher than the goal posts at the south end of Linen House Centre.

Smoke was still bellowing three hours after the fire broke out. No club employees were harmed and no club equipment was damaged in the nearby blaze which came within 20 metres of the club's training ground.

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