Just after 8:00pm, Wednesday evening, a Honolulu Emergency Medical Services ambulance caught fire in the driveway of Adventist Health Castle formerly known as The Castle Medical Center.

The Honolulu EMS crew was transporting a patient to the emergency room when the fire began. The 91- year old patient died at the scene. The Paramedic, who was in the back of the ambulance treating the patient, suffered critical injuries. He was treated by the medical staff at the Adventist Health Castle and then transported by EMS to a secondary emergency room. His Emergency Medical Technician partner, who was operating the vehicle at the time, was uninjured in the fire. The Paramedic has been with Honolulu EMS for eight years.

“My deepest condolences and prayers to the family and friends of the patient who lost his life in Wednesday night’s fire,” said Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director Dr. Jim Ireland. “Please keep our Paramedic in your thoughts. We are praying he makes a full recovery and know he’s in the best care with the talented team at the Straub Burn Unit. A heartfelt mahalo to the staff at Adventist Heath Castle, our entire EMS ‘ohana, the Honolulu Fire Department for their quick response, and all the hands that responded in this tragedy.”

The EMS crew and ambulance was stationed out of Kāneʻohe. The Honolulu Fire Department responded and had the fire under control within 11 minutes of their arrival. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Department will advise the media when further information becomes available.