Wake Co. officials inspect vehicles after 2 ambulance fires in 6 months

Officials get vehicles inspected after two Wake County... (Added: December 30, 2011)

There have been two ambulance fires in Wake County in the past six months. NBC-17 News talks to the EMS chief to see if they were related and if there is a risk for more. (more)

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By: Jackie Faye | NBC-17
Published: December 30, 2011
Updated: December 30, 2011 - 6:52 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. --

There have been two ambulance fires in Wake County in the past six months, and that has officials looking into whether other vehicles are at risk.

The most recent fire happened Thursday on Six Forks Road in Raleigh.

"When I came out I saw flames, smoke, just the whole roof on fire," said Navida McNeil, who witnessed the fire.

Fire investigators are still looking into what exactly caused Thursday's fire, which started in the vehicle's engine.

Back in May, another ambulance caught fire after a mechanical problem with the engine's belt.

"We don't know if the cause was the same as the cause of the other one or whether it is simply a coincidence," said Wake County EMS Chief Skip Kirkwood.

Ambulances go through the same state-required yearly maintenance inspection as all vehicles, nothing further is required.

In both incidents, no one was hurt and the ambulance was not on a call.

"If an ambulance catches on fire that means that someone that needs help is not going to get it," said Gene Alston, who is concerned after the most recent fire.

Kirkwood said people should not worry. The ten other ambulances like the ones that caught fire were inspected and nothing was found.

Thursday's ambulance was destroyed in the fire. The cost is $250,000. Taxpayers will foot that bill because Wake County does not insure ambulances.

Kirkwood said the most important thing is no one was hurt in either fire.

"We can replace vehicles but the people are a little more difficult," said Kirkwood.

Fire investigators are still adding up the damage to the EMS building. It did not have sprinklers.