CLOSE CALL Shocking moment ambulance explodes into fireball seconds after elderly patient is dropped off at her home

THIS is the shocking moment an ambulance explodes into a fireball - seconds after an elderly patient is dropped off at home.

Footage shows the motor smoking, then erupting into flame, and finally exploding outside a Staffordshire home.

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CCTV shows a the ambulance fully engulfed by flameCredit: SWNS

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The life-saving motor was left as a charred wreckCredit: SWNS

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The ambulance caught fire after smoke began to come out of the bonnetCredit: SWNS

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The private ambulance had dropped off the couple's 91-year-old wheelchair-bound neighbour only moments before flames eruptedCredit: SWNS

On March 14, a private ambulance dropped off a 91-year-old wheelchair-bound woman after a hospital stay, parking outside of the next door home in Barton-under-Needwood.

As the vehicle parks at around 1.35pm, smoke can be seen pouring out of the ambulance's bonnet.

A carer goes up to inspect the smoke before him and a second carer unload the patient and wheel her to her home.

Smoke continues to pour out of the engine and turns from white to black, before flames emerge.The cabin of the ambulance is quickly set ablaze, before the fire spreads to the rest of the ambulance.

Then the vehicle then explodes causing a massive fireball with flames burning the garden of David and Marilyn Brinklow.

Parts of the ambulance are also fired across their yard at great speed.

The force of the explosion was so great the ambulance roof was ripped off and flew 50ft into the air before crashing through David and Marilyn's garage.Firefighters dashed to the scene and managed to extinguish the flames before they spread to neighbouring properties.

No one was injured in the blast which caused extensive damage to the couple's home.The heat was so intense the back of their Honda Civic melted while their living room windows shattered and their curtains were singed.

Residents David and Marilyn were having a cup of tea when they heard a huge bang and saw flames engulfing their front garden.

Marilyn, 74, said: "It was like a Hollywood movie. I suffer with my nerves and it didn't do me any good.

"I keep having flashbacks. There was nothing left of the ambulance and all the bits of it like a volcano were flying off like glass and started burning our nets.

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Residents David and Marilyn were having a cup of tea when the terrifying incident took placeCredit: SWNS

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Parts of the ambulance were fired across the Brinklow's gardenCredit: SWNS

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The ambulance was removed via tow truckCredit: SWNS

"It's horrible to talk about."

Retired carpenter David, 69, said the house suffered smoke damage and the electricity was cut off to the garage.

He said: "It went off like a roman candle. I was shocked - it was like a horror show.

"It's incredible no one was killed. Our neighbour was in the ambulance a short time before it exploded.

"The heat was so bad the back of our car literally melted. We just want the insurance company to hurry up so we can repair our home."

The private ambulance company EMED, which provides patient transport, said they were investigating the cause of the explosion.

A spokesperson said: "On Thursday 14th March 2024,during a routine patient drop-off in Barton Under Needwood the engine of our ambulance caught fire.

"Unfortunately, some of the neighbouring properties suffered damage, which we are now managing through our insurer."All our ambulances undergo robust safety checks on a regular basis and our absolute priority is the safety of our patients and the communities we serve.

"We are working closely with the vehicle manufacturer and an independent safety consultant as part of our on-going internal investigation."

Moment rickshaw EXPLODES in huge fireball yards away from Buckingham Palace

A rickshaw exploded in a huge fireball just yards away from the Buckingham Palace gates on Saturday.

Footage posted on X, formerly Twitter, shows the remains of the rickshaw engulfed in flames as police and bystanders look on.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious or deliberate.

The Met Police said in a statement: "At 12:43 on Saturday, 30 March police were informed of a pedicab on fire on Spur Road, SW1.

"A road closure is in place while London Fire Brigade respond.

"No injuries were reported. The fire is not believed to be suspicious or deliberate."

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The flames were so hot it melted the back of a HondaCredit: SWNS

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Footage taken by David and Marilyn show flames out the front of their homeCredit: SWNS

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CCTV footage caught smoke billowing across the front garden