Ambulance Catches Fire While Transporting a Patient in Pacific Beach, California


VIDEO: Ambulance on fire after paramedics when they heard a loud pop under the hood.

San Diego Fire-Rescue firefighters responded about 2:00 a.m. Wednesday to a report of a fully-involved ambulance fire on Mission Bay Drive just north of Garnett Avenue. Two emergency medical technicians were transporting a patient on Mission Bay Drive near Garnett Avenue just before 2 a.m. Wednesday when they heard a loud pop come from under the hood. The driver pulled over and stopped the ambulance. The two medics discovered the engine was on fire, and immediately evacuated the patient from the ambulance at 4711 Mission Bay Drive, San Diego. The EMTs were able to wheel her across the street to a nearby McDonald’s parking lot — a safe distance from the fire and explosions.

The female patient was safely moved out of the ambulance well before the fire escalated. Several loud explosions occurred as the engine of the Ford van ambulance continued to burn and an oxygen tank exploded. The transport was apparently a Basic Life Support run.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.


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