108 ambulance catches fire

Dharamsala, May 29

A GVK 108 ambulance caught fire near Sakoh village this afternoon, raising a question mark on the quality of vehicles being used for emergency situations in the state. 

According to information, the ambulance was coming after repairs at a local workshop. The driver noticed smoke coming out of the vehicle and stopped on the Dharamsala road in the Sakoh area. He tried to douse the flames by taking water buckets from the adjoining area, but the fire soon engulfed the entire vehicle. 

Teachers of a government school dispersed the students fearing that the oxygen cylinders in the ambulance might blast. There was panic among residents of the Sakoh area. 

Though the fire station is located at a distance of 2 km from the spot and was informed immediately, fire engines arrived almost after an hour. Officials said the delay was caused as fire tenders were engaged in dousing forest fires at distant places. The GVK 108 ambulances have been in service in the state for the past eight years. — TNS