AN investigation has been launched into the safety of ambulances across South Wales, after the engines of three vehicles caught fire.

Officials from the Welsh Ambulance Service have confirmed that over the past fortnight the engines of three of the specially-designed vehicles have caught fire.

When the ambulance service took delivery of the £16m fleet of Mercedes-Benz ambulances last year, the 160 vehicles were hailed as “the best in the UK”.

But in a statement released last night, a spokeswoman for the ambulance service said it had initiated an “urgent” investigation with Mercedes.

She said: “I can confirm there have been three events of engine fires in our vehicles. We use standard Mercedes engines which have not been modified in any way.”

It is understood one of the incidents took place in the South Wales area and two in North Wales, but full details were not revealed in the statement issued by the Service.

A preliminary investigation has already been carried out by a team from Mercedes, and it is hoped it will pinpoint the cause of the fires and the steps needed to rectify the situation.

It is believed no-one was injured in the incidents after which the three vehicles involved were taken off the road. But the remaining vehicles in the fleet are still in service.

Jenny Randerson, the Welsh Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for health said the disclosure came as a “huge blow to those working in the service”.

The Cardiff Central AM said: “Reports I have had from paramedics about these vehicles suggest they are brilliant and a huge improvement on what we had before.

“To find there could be a mechanical problem is hugely disappointing.”

Tory health spokesman Jonathan Morgan, said he hoped the manufacturer would accept liability if any problem was exposed. “Clearly the ambulance service has spent a substantial amount of money renewing its vehicle stock and it is only right it ensures they are safe,” he said.

As a result of the fires, South Wales Ambulance drivers have been issued with new health and safety guidelines to safeguard staff and patients.

A Mercedes-Benz spokesman said the company was aware of the recent engine fires in its vehicles.

He said: “We have initiated an urgent investigation into these incidents to establish the cause. While that investigation is under way we are naturally unable to comment any further.”

He confirmed there had been no similar problems reported with the Mercedes Sprinter van series on which the ambulances are based. Each new ambulance cost £115,000, and is fitted with a hydraulic ramp.

Initially 80 of the new models were rolled out in Wales, with the remainder being dispatched to trusts in May 2007.

A Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) spokesman said the safety of the public and ambulance staff is vital and that the Health Minister Edwina Hart will expect the Trust to provide reassurances on the issue as a matter of urgency.

The WAG also expects to be kept informed of the progress and outcome of the investigation.

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