Ambulance Bursts Into Flames Outside Hospital, Killing Patient In Vehicle

KAILUA, HI — A patient died and two paramedics were injured after an ambulance burst into flames Wednesday night in Hawaii, according to reports.

The ambulance caught fire at the entrance of Adventist Health Castle Medical Center in Kailua and the patient died inside the vehicle, the hospital said in a Facebook post.

The source of the fire appeared to be an explosion, Hawaii News Now reported, adding the hospital’s emergency services director told the station the cause of the blaze was unclear.

“This is a tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends,” the hospital said. “Everyone in the hospital is safe.”

The patient who died was 91 and was being transported by an EMS crew based in Kaneohe, according to Hawaii News Now, which reported an eight-year veteran paramedic was critically hurt while a second paramedic was injured but in stable condition.