Dramatic scenes of ambulance fire (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Dramatic scenes of ambulance fire

9:32am Thursday 22nd July 2010 in Cotswolds

AN ambulance burst into flames as it was responding to an emergency call in the Cotswolds on Monday.

The quick-thinking driver pulled his vehicle off the A44 road onto the Greenway turning to Blockley when he saw smoke coming from under the bonnet.

The two-man ambulance crew, who were heading to Moreton to attend a 999 call, were forced to abandon their vehicle.

Shortly afterwards the engine burst into flames, destroying the engine compartment and cab.

The road was closed as fire crews from Chipping Campden and Moreton tackled the blaze, which happened just before 4pm.

There was no patient on board at the time of the incident and another ambulance was summoned to attend the emergency call in Moreton.

Badsey-based electrician Richard Harrigan was one of the first people on the scene and managed to capture the dramatic scene with his camera.

He said: “In one of the photos you can see the front drop down. I don’t know if it was the engine or gas cylinders.”

Campden fire crew watch manager Alastair Wheatcroft said the front of the ambulance was well alight by the time firefighters arrived.

“We were concerned for the safety of the public until we were able to identify and isolate the cylinders. We feared there was a risk of explosion,” said watch manager Wheatcroft.

He said he thought a lot of the equipment in the rear of the vehicle, would be serviceable but added: “The ambulance itself was a write-off.”

Keith Scott, Great Western Ambulance Service general manager for Gloucestershire, said: “There was no patient on board the vehicle at the time and the crew have not been injured. I can also confirm that another vehicle was immediately sent to the 999 incident in Moreton, so patient care was not compromised.

“Our fleet department will carry out a full investigation in partnership with the vehicle supplier.”