Patient dies after ambulance explodes outside A&E hospital in Ireland

Two paramedics also injured after vehicle bursts into flames at Nass General Hospital

The scene at Naas General Hospital in Co KIldare after an ambulance burst into flames (PA)

A patient has died after an ambulance exploded outside an A&E department in Ireland.

Two paramedics were also injured after a vehicle burst into flames at Naas General Hospital in Co KIldare.

The incident prompted a partial evacuation of the building as fire fighters tackled the blaze.

A male patient believed to be in his 70s, who is yet to be named, was inside the ambulance when it exploded and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Journal.

An eyewitness said there was a lot of panic as the alarms started going off.

“I heard a load of alarms going off so I went to see what was going on. The old part of the hospital was being evacuated. There was a lot of panic and people were running around,” Rob Curtis told the Irish Mirror.

Local councillor Fintan Brett paid his respects to the man who lost his life.

“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,” he told the Journal.

It is not yet clear what caused the incident and members of the public have been advised to stay away from the building.