Explanation is sought over ambulance fire in Castlebar

An explanation as to why an ambulance was destroyed by fire outside the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar recently was sought from management of the HSE Regional Health Forum West at their meeting last week.

Castlebar-based Cllr Michael Kilcoyne asked the executive whether the vehicle in question was a “petrol or diesel vehicle, as everybody wants to know”, but was told by management that the matter is under review with no further information currently available.

Cllr Kilcoyne said he wished to compliment the ambulance service in Mayo who had a busy time on the Saturday night the vehicle went on fire and also the local fire service. 

“Thankfully, nobody was injured but the ambulance was burned out and is not fit for use any more and there is probably likely to be an investigation."

Integrated Health Area Manager Ann Cosgrove told Cllr Kilcoyne the matter was “still being reviewed” and that she did not know what type of a vehicle it was. 

“I was talking with ambulance crew yesterday to see how they were and they are reviewing why it happened. I have no further information whether the vehicle was petrol or electric”, she said.

Cllr Kilcoyne commented: “Yes, everybody is interested in that one.”