Explosion causes ambulance fire

CEBU, Philippines - An ambulance driver scuttles for his safety after the emergency vehicle he was driving suddenly exploded and caught fire.

Glen Laranjo, 27, was driving the ambulance owned by the Municipality of San Fernando last Saturday evening from the Rural Health Unit in barangay Poblacion when its rear portion suddenly exploded upon reaching barangay Tonggo. Laranjo said he saw the back portion of the vehicle already in flame after hearing the loud explosion prompting him to immediately stop and abandon the vehicle. Fortunately the vehicle was not responding to an emergency.

The residents who saw the flaming vehicle immediately called the fire assistance but before the firemen arrived the ambulance was completely razed by fire.

Fire investigators found out that a grounded electrical connection near the battery at the rear portion of the vehicle has triggered the explosion. – THE FREEMAN