FIREFIGHTERS have praised the quick-thinking crew of an ambulance which caught fire on the A38. 

Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey fire crews responded to reports of a van on fire on the dual carriageway. 

But when they arrived, they discovered the van was an ambulance vehicle containing oxygen cylinders. 

The ambulance was destroyed in the blaze but firefighters said the paramedics’ decision to remove the plumbed-in tanks allowed them ‘to fight the fire as safely as possible’.

The van was well alight with smoking and flames coming from the whole vehicle.

The Bovey Tracey crew were first on the scene and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus started to tackle the fire. 

The crew from Newton Abbot also committed a further two firefighters in breathing gear to help.

Both crews achieved this by using a hose reel each.

A Newton Abbot fire station spokesman said: ‘Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident, and the quick thinking actions of the paramedics onboard significantly helped reduce the risk to all around when they decided to remove their large plumped in oxygen cylinders whilst the vehicle was alight. 

‘This allowed us to fight the fire as safely as possible.

‘Not a usual way we work with our ambulance service colleagues, but it was another incident that was concluded safely due to everyone’s close working relationships.’

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said the ambulance was not one of its vehicles nor a private ambulance operating on its behalf.