VIDEO: '˜Explosions everywhere' as three ambulances and part of hospital catch fire

Several explosions were heard as three ambulances and part of a hospital caught fire this afternoon (Monday June 6).
Ambulances on fire outside East Surrey Hospital. Photo contributed by Richie Ashwin and Endoscopy Booking Team.Ambulances on fire outside East Surrey Hospital. Photo contributed by Richie Ashwin and Endoscopy Booking Team.
Ambulances on fire outside East Surrey Hospital. Photo contributed by Richie Ashwin and Endoscopy Booking Team.

Four fire crews were called to the blaze outside East Surrey Hospital in Redhill at around 2.15pm.

A spokesman for the fire service said the vehicles caught fire near the east entrance to the hospital. Part of the building was also ablaze, the spokesman added.

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Crews used three hose reels to extinguish the flames. The fire was out by 3.30pm

No-one is believed to have been in the ambulances at the time and no injuries have been reported.

Darren Penticost, who was down at the hospital for an appointment, said there were “explosions everywhere”.

On Twitter Eddie Mullen added: “East Surrey Hospital Redhill - ambulances on fire several explosions.”

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South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) said two of the ambulances belonged to the organisation.

Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.
Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.

A spokesman said: “Two South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) patient transport ambulances have been destroyed in a fire outside East Surrey Hospital at Redhill this afternoon. No patients or staff were on board the vehicles at the time.

“It is too early to comment on the potential cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in an adjacent vehicle; a full investigation will take place in due course.”

SECAmb’s Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) also attended the incident along with police who provided support to the fire service.

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Firefighters are still at the scene and are investigating the incident. The cause is not yet known.

Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.
Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.

Michael Wilson, chief executive of the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said the hospital was fully operation and thanked the emergency services for their help.

Metro Bus said all its services in the Redhill area were delayed due to the blaze. They are now running as normal.

The hospital takes patients from Horsham, Crawley and Mid Sussex and is one of the main hospitals for the area.

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Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.
Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.

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Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.Smoke coming from fire at East Surrey Hospital. Photo by Mark Wigmore.
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