Ambulance caught fire while transporting a patient

An Giang: An oxygen tank exploded, causing a charity ambulance carrying a patient to catch fire, one person suffered minor burns, at noon on February 16.

At around 10:30 a.m., Mr. Vo Van Cop Em, 42, drove a specialized ambulance to pick up a 59-year-old female patient and her relatives at Phu Dong hamlet, Phu Xuan commune, Phu Tan district. The car had just driven a short distance when suddenly the medical oxygen tank in the car exploded, spreading the fire to nearby objects.

The ambulance was heavily damaged after the fire. Photo: Tran Thanh

The driver stopped the car and helped the patient out with his family. People on the roadside tried to put out the fire with available tools, but were unsuccessful. Firefighters were called to the scene and extinguished the fire after about 30 minutes.

The fire caused minor burns to the patient’s family member’s hand. The patient was taken to the district hospital by another ambulance.

Mr. Tran Tan Loi, Chairman of Phu Xuan Commune People's Committee, said that the ambulance was mobilized by the local government two years ago. This is a specialized vehicle with full equipment, worth about 800 million VND. The hospital transfer vehicle is completely free for people in the commune and neighboring localities. The driver team was mobilized by the government from the people in the commune, and does not receive any remuneration.

"Only in serious cases will the commune medical team go along. The drivers have been trained in first aid skills and the use of equipment on the vehicle," said Mr. Loi, adding that he will soon propose to the relevant authorities to guide the inspection and maintenance of oxygen tanks on the vehicle to ensure safety.

Ngoc Tai

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