One person dead after ambulance catches fire outside Naas Hospital

Emergency services said the fire broke out in the vehicle at about 2pm as the man was being brought to the emergency unit at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare.

Gardai say a man – who was a patient – was in the ambulance at the time of the fire and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The area has been sealed off for a technical examination and the emergency department has been temporarily closed.

The department has been temporarily closed following the “serious incident”.

Investigations were launched into the cause of the fire by the HSE, Fire Service, Garda and Health and Safety Authority.

An ambulance has burst into flames beside Naas hospital this afternoon, it has been reported.

Mr Harris said he also wanted to support the ” incredible efforts of the staff in Naas General Hospital on what was an extremely hard and upsetting day and to convey my hope of a full recovery to the injured paramedic staff”.

It is not yet clear what sparked the explosion which resulted in a number of patients being evacuated from the building.

It is understood that the fire has now been extinguished.

Several other hospital staff members are also suffering from shock.

The man, believed to be about 70, was in the back of the ambulance when the blaze happened at about 1.30pm and witnesses reported hearing a loud bang.

Here is the HSE’s full statement on the incident at Naas General Hospital.

The hospital’s advising people who need to see a doctor to go to their GP first and failing that, to try and access an ED at a different hospital.

The casualty department was shut down following the incident.

The scene of the fire at the hospital.

“The Health Service Executive (HSE) would like to acknowledge the heroic efforts of our paramedic colleagues and hospital staff in attempting to save the life of the deceased”, the agency said in a statement.

“The NAS has informed the Health and Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána and a full investigation is under way into the incident”.

“The hospital has also requested that members of the public refrain from visiting at this time”.

Four units attended the scene.

One of the pair is said to be in intensive care with severe burns.

It is not yet known what caused the fire.