Honolulu Fire Department Investigates Latest Ambulance Fire

By Bill Carey
EMS1

HONOLULU — The Honolulu Fire Department is investigating a Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Ambulance As emergency medical services officials grapple with increasing fear and anxiety among personnel, KITV reports.

The Honolulu EMS ambulance caught fire while parked at Queen's Medical Center on June 26. Medics had taken the patient to the emergency room, leaving the ambulance empty when it caught fire, according to KITV.

The ambulance was locked, but the engine was running. No one was injured.

In 2022, an ambulance fire killed a patient and seriously injured a paramedic.

“I think with every incident there's always some fear or anxiety that builds,” said Ian Santee, deputy director of emergency medical services. “But in this particular vehicle, the fire appears to be confined to the engine compartment.”

The ambulance involved in the recent fire was a 2008 Ford 350 XLT with 230,000 miles on the odometer. The engine was changed in 2019 and has 65,000 miles on the odometer.

Santee said the fire underscores the importance of safety measures, such as securing equipment and performing annual inspections.