EBENEZER--An ambulance with licence plate L-152 (Unit 4) caught on fire in the vicinity of Ebenezer on Thursday morning. According to a report issued by Ambulance Department head Cylred Richardson, the ambulance responded to an emergency call for a security guard who fell ill at St. Maarten Academy PSVE.
While it was reversing near the gate the security guard there advised the driver that the vehicle was smoking and on fire. The driver proceeded to put the ambulance in park position and he also saw fire coming from the front of the vehicle.
Immediately the ambulance team members were informed by the driver that the ambulance was on fire and that they must get out as soon as possible. The driver had called the Fire Department as soon as he noticed smoke coming out of the vehicle. A request for the Fire Department and a second ambulance was made via radio communication with the Central Emergency Dispatch Centre at approximately 9:42am.
One of the three ambulance team members on duty attempted to take some of the equipment out of the ambulance, but due to the fumes only a heart monitor machine, stretcher, a portable oxygen cylinder and trauma bag could be taken out of the ambulance. The two other ambulance team members assisted the patient while the ambulance driver kept a watchful eye on the vehicle on fire.
The ambulance driver reported that while awaiting the arrival of the Fire Department, he heard an explosion and about five to 10 minutes later there was a loud bang from the ambulance that was ablaze. The patient was transported to St. Maarten Medical Center by the second ambulance and crew that responded to the emergency call.
The fire was extinguished and a tow truck took the damaged vehicle to the parking lot of the Receiver’s Office.
No injuries were reported.
Richardson said, “The ambulance has been serviced regularly and was put back into service Wednesday this week after being serviced.” He also said the incident would be investigated by the relevant authorities.
