Three ambulances explode as blaze breaks out at UK hospital

THREE ambulances have exploded outside a Surrey hospital.

By Rory McKeown & Tom Evans

BLAZE: Fire crews tackle a large blaze at East Surrey Hospital

Thick black smoke was seen rising from outside East Surrey Hospital, near Reigate, at around 2.30pm.

The hospital's entrance has  been damaged and the area evacuated after patients reported heard "bangs".

According to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, the fire started in a single ambulance but soon spread to two others.

@JohnHolah @DewanSharif currently trapped in east Surrey hospital. I've heard that 3 Ambulance have exploded & its "taken out" E entrance

— Chris Priest (@cjrpriest) June 6, 2016

INFERNO: Three emergency vehicles caught fire

Ambulances on fire at #EastSurreyHospital #ESH @sashnhs@eagleradio @surreymirror @RadioRedhillpic.twitter.com/2Uv0c8QBRS

— Bruno Pereira (@AnonymousBeat) June 6, 2016

Emergency services are at the scene.

An eyewitness, who chose not to be named, said: "The first explosion went off while I was playing golf on the course next to the hospital.

"It was so loud I ran out and then there were 3 more explosions – 3 ambulances have blown up.

"One entrance of the hospital caught alight."

Witness Jeni Comeau told the Surrey Mirror: "I can see lots of thick, black smoke. 

"I pulled over to call my friend because she has gone to hospital with her son.

"There are so many police cars, ambulances and fire engines going into the hospital right now."

Bloody hell, an ambulance just exploded at my girlfriend's hospital

— Sir Richard Lartey (@giloi) June 6, 2016

A spokeswoman from Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "We are dealing with an incident involving three ambulances outside East Surrey Hospital.

"Everyone is safe. No one is injured."

It comes just hours after a Glasgow street turned into a "war zone" following a series of stabbings and fires.