Sussex Police arrest 27-year-old following ambulance fire

Police officers and fire service crews were called to Harlands Road at 4.08pm after an ambulance went up in flames.

Photographs taken by a passerby show smoke "billowing" from the South East Coast Ambulance Service vehicle.

A 27-year-old man, who was being assessed by the ambulance crew, has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

No one was injured, although the ambulance crew were left "shaken" by the incident.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "At 4.08pm, on Wednesday, Sussex Police attended Harlands Road, Haywards Heath, following reports of an ambulance on fire.

Th ambulance on fire in Harlands Road

"A 27-year-old man who was being assessed by an ambulance crew has been arrested on suspicion of arson and remains in custody at this time."

Three West Sussex Fire and Rescue engines were tasked to put out the blaze.

READ MORE >> South East Coast ambulance catches fire in Haywards Heath

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly brought the flames under control.

Crews remained on the scene using thermal imaging cameras to ensure the fire had been completely extinguished.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We thank our police and fire colleagues for their swift actions in assisting us with this serious incident.

"We are very thankful that the crew, while shaken were uninjured.”

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to assist colleagues in the South East Coast Ambulance Service shortly after 4pm this afternoon following a fire involving an ambulance.

“Joint fire control mobilised two fire engines from Haywards Heath and one from Burgess Hill to the scene of the incident on Harlands Road, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly brought the fire under control using high pressure hose reels.

"Crews remained on the scene using thermal imaging cameras to ensure there were no further hotspots.”