HONOLULU — An ambulance fire on May 23 in Waialae Iki has raised safety concerns among Honolulu EMS personnel.
The incident occurred while EMS crews were responding to a call on Okoa Street. Smoke and flames were seen coming from the ambulance’s wheel well, prompting a rapid evacuation of the patient, Hawaii News Now reported. Crews used a fire extinguisher, but the blaze continued to spread, and Honolulu firefighters were called to fully extinguish it.
While no one was injured, EMS providers say the situation highlights growing concerns about the condition and safety of their vehicles. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Honolulu Fire Department.
EMS Director Dr. Jim Ireland acknowledged that any disruption to the fleet is concerning and far from ideal, but emphasized that the ambulances remain safe to operate.
“The ambulances are safe,” Ireland said. “Automotive Equipment Services, the mechanics, they do inspect them, but obviously any incident like this is concerning, and that’s why we want to do a full investigation.”
The last significant ambulance fire occurred on August 24, 2022, outside Adventist Health Castle, when an oxygen tank exploded, killing the patient and critically injuring a paramedic.
Following the recent ambulance fire, some EMS providers expressed concerns about vehicles overheating. Ireland acknowledged that some ambulances are gas-powered, which tend to run hotter than diesel models. He said the department is working to transition to more diesel-fueled vehicles.
