DRAINS engineers stopped an ambulance from exploding — by pulling over in their van and dousing the vehicle using their on board water jet.

Paul Sheehy and Gavin McDonald were returning from unblocking a drain when they spotted smoke coming from the ambulance on a slip road to St Peter's Way on January 5.

The pair, from Lanes Group, pulled over and put out the engine fire.

Ambulance chiefs say their quick-thinking saved medical equipment worth tens of thousands of pounds.

They also stopped the blaze spreading to oxygen gas cylinders in the back of the ambulance, preventing an explosion.

Mr McDonald said: “When we stopped, the ambulance had its blue lights on.

"An automatic fire extinguisher had gone off in the engine compartment, but smoke was still coming from under the bonnet.

“We got our jetting hose out and sprayed water through the vents below the windscreen into the engine compartment to try to damp things down.

“As cars were still passing the ambulance and people were gathering close by to watch, we worked with the ambulance crew to divert the traffic and advise people to stay away.

“After about 10 minutes, fire crews arrived and told us we could turn our hose off.

"As soon as we did, flames erupted and started getting into the driver’s cabin. The firefighters then put them out with their own hoses.”

Mr Sheehy said: “The smoke had been building up in the moments before the fire service arrived, so it was clear things were getting worse.

"We made sure we were standing well back.

“The senior fire officer thanked us for what we did. He said it was clear that without us cooling the fire, it would have spread much more rapidly, and the gas cylinders on the ambulance would probably have exploded, destroying the vehicle and causing a serious incident

“As it happened, the fire damage was contained in the front of the vehicle, which we’re very pleased about.”

Stuart Marshall, operations manager for North West Ambulance Service in the area, said he would be writing a letter of thanks to the pair.

He said: “Their actions were beyond that expected of any member of the public, and as such they should both be commended.

“The incident developed very quickly, and I have no doubt the actions of Paul and Gavin both helped save the fire from getting out of control, and also save vital lifesaving equipment in the rear of the ambulance.”

The ambulance was responding to a 999 call but was not carrying a patient at the time.