W. Va. Ambulance Catches Fire While on Transport
June 29--A Doddridge County ambulance carrying one patient was destroyed by fire Thursday on Interstate 79.
Interim MECCA 911 director Mike Wolfe said the patient was on the way to a nonemergency doctor's appointment, though he wasn't sure where. Monongalia EMS picked up the uninjured patient at the fire scene, who was removed without injury, and resumed transport.
Two EMS workers were also uninjured, Wolfe said.
Roger Shuttlesworth, chief of the Triune-Halleck Volunteer Fire Department, said the fire started in the engine, though he's not sure what caused it. The blaze was reported shortly before 2 p.m., near the Marion-Mon. border.
The 1996 Ford ambulance was "heavily involved" when firefighters arrived, but Shuttlesworth said the blaze was under control within five minutes.
The engine compartment, fenders and front cab were destroyed. Shuttlesworth said the ambulance, was towed from the interstate by Doug's Towing, is likely a total loss.
Both northbound traffic lanes were shut down as firefighters battled the blaze. One southbound lane was also closed briefly, so firefighters could respond more quickly.
Shuttlesworth said they ran hoses across the median, rather than driving down the road and turning around.
The ambulance was carrying a 5-foot oxygen tank that was on fire. Shuttlesworth said the safety plug released, but the tank did not explode.
A Doddridge County Emergency Squad employee declined to comment.
Copyright 2012 - The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
News Info:
