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THE HSE HAS confirmed that the death of a patient in an ambulance which caught fire at Naas General Hospital was a direct consequence of the fire.
Two National Ambulance Service paramedics were also injured in the incident, with one understood to have sustained burn injuries.
Speaking to reporters in Naas this evening, HSE director general Tony O’Brien said early indications point to “an oxygen related incident”.
He described the incident as an “unbelievable tragedy” and said that he has spoken to the family of the patient.
The ambulance was less than one year old, said O’Brien on RTÉ Six One this evening. He said that most of the ambulance was destroyed in the blaze.
TheJournal.ie understands that the ambulance caught fire while bringing a patient to the the Emergency Department. The patient, a man in his 70s, died shortly afterwards and O’Brien said his death was a direct consequence of the fire.
Images from the scene show the front of the ambulance is heavily damaged.
Two medics who had brought the elderly man to hospital were injured in the fire. One has now been released and the second was taken to St James’ Hospital in Dublin but is said to be doing well.
Naas General Hospital earlier ordered an evacuation after the incident, which happened at 2pm today while the patient was being brought by ambulance to the Emergency Department (ED).
The hospital’s emergency plan has been put into action, and all staff and patients have been evacuated from the ED and the nearby outpatients clinic.
https://www.facebook.com/100004821123312/videos/pcb.436593506511350/436593429844691
If video does not display correctly, watch it here
Gardaí in Naas said they and the HSE are investigating all the circumstances surrounding today’s fire.
In a statement, they said:
A male patient was in the ambulance at the time of the fire and was pronounced dead at the scene. The area has been sealed off for a technical examination.
Explosions
The HSE confirmed that the Emergency Department has temporarily closed.
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has implemented diversion protocols and patients are being taken to alternative hospitals.
The NAS has also informed both the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and An Garda Siochána, and a full investigation is underway into the incident.
The hospital has advised any member of the public seeking access to medical care to visit their GP in the first instance and if necessary to access another Emergency Department in an alternative hospital.
The hospital has also requested that members of the public refrain from visiting at this time.
‘It combusted and exploded’
Witnesses reported loud bangs and explosions, and flames licking the building. Images taken show black smoke billowing from the hospitals lands.
The HSE referred all queries about the incident to The Hospital Group, who said they would be making a statement soon.
It’s understood four fire brigades attended the scene, as well as several Garda vehicles.
Dozens of other patients have been evacuated due to the blaze, someone familiar with the hospital investigation told TheJournal.ie.
“It combusted and exploded,” the person said.
“The fire was outside the A&E entrance, they were bringing the patient into Casualty.”
Another witness said: ”The ambulance went up very fast. There were lots of bangs and explosions. I hope there wasn’t anyone hurt.”
Local councillor Fintan Brett told TheJournal.ie the whole area is “in shock”.
“Imagine that poor man going into hospital, thinking he was going to get better, and then he passes away. It’s absolutely terrible. My thoughts go out to him and his family.”
With reporting from Michelle Hennessy and Garreth MacNamee.
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Awful tragedy. One can only imagine how shocked the family of the poor patient feels at this moment.
And the medics who were transporting the person.
Saw the smoke rise across the town. Never thought it could be something like this. I thought it was a car after being burnt out by somebody. My thoughts to the injured and condolences to the family of the deceased gentleman.
Jaysus! That’s shocking….
RIP to that man.
To the people who posted the first two comments. I really hope you never need the assistance of the two paramedics injured in that explosion or any of their colleagues. I hope that patient wasn’t your Dad/Uncle/Brother/Husband. How would you feel if you were a relative scouring websites for info about your loved one and you came across your comments.
Who said they where not female
‘The patient, a man in his 70′s’
You read the comments and replied to mine. It might be a suggestion to read the article.
You really need that kind of attention?
Shocking this has resulted in a loss of life. RIP. Hope the paramedics recover.
@Tricky McDicky: Indeed, my sincere heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of the patient who died and best wishes to those paramedics seriously injured doing a job that involves caring for others.
It’s not a good idea to jump to conclusions, knee jerk reactions etc. but IF and it’s a big if, it is found that the ambulance or equipment was old or should have been replaced in recent years then clearly there are serious questions to be answered. We’ve seen other ambulances break down, wheels fall off them and others go on fire too, but not with any loss of life, thankfully. Maybe it’s time we just acknowledged that we have a problem here and fix it, no blame, just fix the damn problem.
Rusty Balls, a few years ago a paramedic died in Cavan I think, when he was thrown through back doors of traveling vehicle.
The ambulance was less than one year old…it says in the article
Karl, have been watching the news, which makes it even more bizarre, apparently something to do with the oxygen, all vehicles to be checked.
Sorry that comment was directed at ‘rusty balls’
@Karl Cleary: Another article makes mention that the ambulance was less than a year old, this was initially unknown. However it appears that the explosion and subsequent fire originated from an oxygen fault, it’s unclear what exactly at this stage.
Siptu health division organiser Paul Bell has also said that there have been “several similar incidents” to yesterday’s ambulance explosion and ambulance representatives have never been fully informed as to the original cause of other such fires.
It’s a freak accident which as left 1 man dead and 2 seriously injured I don’t know think there families would appreciate the smart comments and finger pointing. RIP to that poor man
God help them all
@Colette Mullins: ‘God’? You mean the guy who is apparently all seeing and all powerful yet didn’t act to stop this tragedy?
Oh shut up @oldschoolcelt. Its just a saying, get over yourself, dope
@Jason Doyle:
Just a saying? For uneducated lemmings, maybe. No accountability for the so called ‘creator’ in the sky. Twas ever thus.
Shocking tragedy.
You’re one complete muppet using a tragedy like this to spread your own personal opinions.
@Gary Smith: And what is ‘God help them all’ if not a personal opinion that divine intervention is going to help?
Just a saying?
A very stupid saying.
@oldschoolcelt I wonder if you’re as ignorant face to face as you are behind a keyboard. Cop on to yourself.
Oldschool.. people offer condolences in many different ways .. yet you saw it fit to get a dig in about religion .. no need for it.
@oldschool: There’s a comment further below where a guy uses the phrase “good god almighty”… You need to nip that in the bud quickly and tell him how you are way more intelligent than him…. Fair play, we’d be lost without you buddy..
Look it’s obvious you have a chip on your shoulder…or actually a large rock…about religion. The journal will give you plenty chances to give out about religion which you’re perfectly entitled to do. Just no need at all to use this tragedy to do so.
We don’t even know if the victims of this tragedy believe in the supernatural.
There are people out there who will use any opportunity to promote their ‘God’ and their faith. The Catholic Church are masters at it.
Unless you know the victims, offer your condolences without any higher power nonsense.
@Ciaran O Donoghue:
How intelligent Ciaran. Stupid is as stupid does.
Stop feeding it.
The faux outrage from precious, uneducated little do-gooders is hilarious. You little pr1ck.
RIP and hopefully all others recover.The smoke has not yet cleared and already the amateur detectives have drawn their conclusions without knowing most of the facts while others try turn it into a political issue.its just sad on every level.
WHY ARE YOU SHOWING A VIDEO OF THIS???!!! 1 person has died and 2 people are seriously injured and YOU’RE SHOWING A VIDEO!! The mind boggles Journal staff.
@Will O’Connell: yet worse things are shown on your TV.
Yes. Worse things are shown. Doesn’t make it right.
Also a little early for conjecture,lets wait for the official report,again condolences to all involved
How the hell can this happen. Poor man and crew.
One dead and a few seriously injured and you have the clowns here arguing about oxygen. #Journal could you perhaps set up a “funnies” section for these muppets, like the cartoon section in the newspaper maybe, yeah ?
These are true heroes paramedics in their professionalism and kindness come in well a head of the gardai.
The deserve true hero status and I hope everyone gives them the recognition they deserve.
@Alex Jones: well said.
What an awful tragedy, May that man rest in peace.. Given the O2 supply in the ambulance it wouldn’t take much for something like this to happen. Fingers crossed those 2 paramedics pull through.
A terribly tragic case. It’s awful that the poor man died.
I wish the 2 paramedics the earliest possible recovery. They do great work. A Cinsultant Head of Emergency told me that he would prefer to be attended by a trained paramedic than an SHO or GP in an emergency situation. He recounted to me many incidents of amazing feats of both technical skill and bravery by paramedics in saving lives in very challenging circumstances.
Paramedics are true frontline people who are sometimes exposed to grave danger. They are tremendously dedicated, work under immense pressure and sometimes there can be calamities as in this tragic and sad case.
I hope that they recover early and are not hounded during the investigative process.
Most likely due to cut backs and failing to regularly service them. Another result of this government policy.
Idiot.
How about waiting five seconds before making a political point oit of something that hasn’t even been investigaged yet?
Yup let’s just jump to the conclusion that’s it’s the government’s fault.
Stupid ignorant comment
@Brian McCormack: Wow, what a moron
He is probably not wrong. Dont read the comments section online if you are easily offended.
It’s just been confirmed that the vehicle was only a year old. Hope that helps.
It was a brand new ambulance!
Sweet Jesus that’s awful. a similar incident happened in New York a while back. poor family.
Someone smoking near oxygen??
Oxygen doesn’t explode. If it did then smokers would be exploding all over the place.
@Jo45: Oxygen is an accelerant. It adds to combustion but does not cause it. Facts first is the better approach.
Now I know there are a lot of stupid comments on the Journal but this has to be without doubt the most stupidest of them all!!
Oxygen is very flammable
@Adrian Connolly: Compressed Oxygen will explode if ignited and I would like to be around it when it does either.
@Jo45: stupid observation RIP to the person
Oxygen doesn’t burn by itself. But if a pressurised tank in a fire already taking place with would intensify it. But I am NOT saying that is what happened here. Could be anything. RIP to that poor man. Hope the others are ok
Oxygen is not flammable. Compressed or otherwise. A compressed container will explode or shoot off like a rocket if pierced.
https://youtu.be/ey10rW8Q4_k if the oxygen bottle is damaged this could happen. E.G. see youtube video.
Oxygen in itself doesn’t burn. It aids combustion. The more oxygen the fiercer the fire.
Think you meant you wouldn’t like to be around when it does or else that’s a very strange fetish. An awful tragedy. RIP
I think you find it won’t. I’m a metal fabricator and work with compressed oxygen. It is not flammable . The cylinder may explode due to increased pressure caused by the heat but it won’t ignite. It is a requirement in fire but it requires a fuel like acetylene to be present in gas welding for example.
The only difference between a fire and an explosion is the speed of the flame, oxygen impacts directly on equation. Hence the stringent requirements around the storage and usage of O2 and enriched air (O2 above 21%)
@Adrian Connolly: Oxygen cylinders can explode, as oxygen is very reactive, and a small increase of the chemical in the air can create a dangerous situation. One main cause of explosions in relation to oxygen includes usage of materials that are not compatible with oxygen.
Thanks for posting a link that proves my point. “The ignition source of the fire was determined to be electrical, and the fire spread rapidly due to combustible nylon material, and the high pressure, pure oxygen cabin atmosphere”
Someone has died,and you kids are arguing over wether oxygen is flammable……
You can’t have called in a hospital due to oxygen. Very possible that oxygen tanks exploded. Maybe not cause of fire but perhaps caused explosion.
Cian,
Tell that to the crew of Appollo 1. Educate yourself on a subject before you open your mouth.
@Cian Martin: It also proves the original commentators point which you seemed to be disagreeing about by declaring that oxygen isn’t flammable. Unless you assume he’s referring to somebody smoking near oxygen and only oxygen. nothing else whatsoever
Google “Is oxygen flammable?” and come back with your answer.
Perhaps it’s you that needs the education. The fuel in the fire was the nylon suits. It wasn’t oxygen. The pure oxygen just provided an environment in which the fire could burn more rapidly. The fire triangle consists of oxygen, fuel and heat. Fire requires all three to be present so take away the fuel and the oxygen and heat cannot produce a fire. Secondly, from our classroom days in science we learned that the test for oxygen is a glowing splint in a jar. If the splints lights then oxygen is present. Surely if oxygen is explosive then we would have spent the class picking glass fragments from our faces but we didn’t. Why? Because it doesn’t explode. I’m not arguing this anymore because it’s disrespectful to the person who died and those that were injured.
@Jo45: “Someone smoking near oxygen??”
Duh! It is impossible to smoke away from oxygen, which is about 22% of the atmosphere, because combustion is impossible without it.
Let’s just wait until the experts investigate and tell us what really happened.
Would ye all shut up spamming the comments with your oxygen debate
Apollo 1 the fire was electricle and spread quickly due to Nylon material in the caban. The pure oxegen atmosphere just provided the perfect atmosphere for fire.
Purified Oxygen plus grease or oil will spontaneously combust, the pressure causes the explosion.
@Adrian Connolly: if you don’t know you should avoid commenting http://www.elcosh.org/document/1676/d000585/Liquid%2BOxygen%2BCylinder%2BExplosion.html?show_text=1 GET INFORMED BEFORE POSTING 100% oxygen is the perfect bomb
@StephAppleTax: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/419710/oxygen-tanks-explode-at-us-military-base-in-south-korea.html pressurized medical O2 will explode All it needs is a spark, any nitrox qualified diver knows it.
He’s right. Any pressurised contained can explode. Doesn’t have to be oxygen. I saw pics of a nitrogen bottle that punched through two concrete walls. But it’s still not flammable. Also it’s not a perfect bomb. Maybe an inadequate bomb.
Not quite correct. Whilst oxygen is an accelerant and strongly supports combustion, the presence of oil or some other hydrocarbon, Vaseline for example, may cause it to combust without any other form of ignition. Even something like an e-cigarette could cause the method of delivery, i.e. the nasal cannula or mask, to catch fire. But as you correctly pointed out, facts first is a better approach. Let’s see what the investigation uncovers. My deepest condolences to all involved in this awful tragedy.
@John Travers: be precise. Causes what to combust?
True – that’s the reason why seals in pressurised oxygen systems are always dry seals, the rubber O ring is NEVER coated in oil or grease, which can spontaneously combust in the presence of high-concentration oxygen.
RIP to the victim however it happened.
@Avina Laaf: High pressure pure oxygen can react violently with hydrocarbons and produce an explosion but I can’t see a cigarette producing that effect.
May cause an oxygen cylinder to combust Micheal.
A cigarette won’t ignite the oxygen but it will ignite any combustible material which has been exposed to oxygen.
@John Travers: the oxygen cyclinder combusts? I’ve never heard of that.
Hse now saying the incident was ‘oxygen related’
I read your posts before answering and it’s clear that you most likely didn’t. The first case was of a cylinder whose vent failed and was over pressurized . Same thing as blowing up a balloon. It will eventually bursts but not in a ball of flames. Regarding nitrox, it will only burn when in the presence of a combustible material. I’m not sure why people have such a hard time accepting that oxygen is not flammable. The ozone layer is made up of highly compressed oxygen and the sun shines on it everyday yet no explosion. By definition,an explosion is the rapid expansion of gas . Oxygen cylinders will explode if the pressure is increased by the heat of an existing fire. When it does explode it will cause and oxygen rich environment and the existing fire will become a fireball giving the impression that the oxygen itself is flammable. In gas welding oxygen is used with acetylene or propane. Both of those gases burn readily in normal air conditions but when oxygen is added the flame becomes much more intense and capable of melting steel. To turn off the welder you turn off the propane or acetylene and guess what? The flame goes out even though pure compressed oxygen is still coming out the nozzle. So what else do you need to know to prove compressed oxygen doesn’t burn. It will certainly aid and explosion if there is already a flame.
@Adrian Connolly: excellent post and highly informative. Thank you.
Oxygen is not remotely flammable. Google it. It’s an accelerant
Good god almighty, thats horrific, for everyone involved, my thoughts go out to everyone affected.
Jesus, when is this government going to put the citizens of this country before European banking debt, our health service is a health and safety hazard.
Horrendous for all involved. RIP to the poor man who does and I hope the paramedics aren’t seriously injured.
I think The Journal should close comments for 24 hours after tragedies that occur in Ireland. Too many trolls. May the deceased RIP and a quick recovery for the EMTs.
Turn off comments on the report please
@Tom Lavin: I doubt that the families or friend are bothering to read the comments on The Journal.
Say nothing until you hear more.
@Alan b We are aware someone has died and are simply wondering how it happened, no disrespect meant. Maybe you can climb down off the moral high ground now.
Apollo 1 the fire was electricle and spread quickly due to Nylon material in the caban. The pure oxegen atmosphere just provided the perfect atmosphere for fire.
What an absolute tradedy. My sympathies to the deceased man’s family. Best wishes to the paramedics who have been injured
Poor guy, what a terrible way to go! RIP!
crazy stuff man jaysus , the woman at the end of video sorry no recording please
Oxygen equals not forensics
My dad needs oxygen and his machine has no tank it cleanses the air that is pumped in why don’t they use these it seems like that would be a safer option?
Because, at most, they only do 9 lpm. Portable ones even less at 3 lpm. Some cases, cardiac arrests etc could require flow rates of 15lpm or higher.
My condolences to the family if the deceased
This journalist has a hard on for deleting my comments.
I fear this was someone smoking with an oxygen mask on, as they do warn against that?
The later article suggests an oxygen related problem. I assume that the fire experts will be able to identify the cause. I don’t know enough to offer a view but a lighted cigarette seems an unlikely hypothesis.
have your say