AN AMBULANCE crew was left "shaken" after a suspected arson attack targeted one of their vehicles.

Pictures from the scene in Harlands Road, Haywards Heath, yesterday, show the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) vehicle engulfed by flames, with passers-by describing seeing dark smoke billowing into the air.

Fire crews were called at about 4pm and three teams worked quickly to bring the blaze under control. No members of the ambulance crew were injured.

Sussex Police also attended the scene and arrested a man on suspicion of arson.

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

"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."

Following the incident, Secamb took to Twitter to thank the emergency teams who came to their crew's aid.

A spokesman said: "We thank our Sussex Police and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service colleagues for their swift actions in assisting us with this serious incident.

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