Aug. 25--A fire erupted inside the engine and cab area of a St. Louis Fire Department emergency vehicle at 9:06 a.m. today after paramedics delivered a patient to St. Mary's Hospital, according to Richmond Heights Battalion Chief Steve Carmen.
When paramedics returned outside they noticed a haze around the ambulance, Carmen said. The engine and cab area were in flames and burned pretty thoroughly, he said. The 2005 St. Louis City Medic ll ambulance is a total loss, he said. The cause of the blaze is being investigated but Carmen believes the fire was the result of an alternator problem. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic to determine the exact cause, he said.
"We know what side of the engine the fire started on," he said. Carmen did not know the total cost of the destruction but estimated it was at least $130,000.
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