An ambulance caught fire as it was carrying a patient to hospital last night.
The vehicle was on the M2 motorway on the way to Antrim Area Hospital when the incident took place yesterday afternoon.
It is understood a passing motorist stopped and helped transport the patient onward.
No one was injured in the blaze, which completely destroyed the ambulance.
Fire Service Assistant Group Commander Gavin McWhirter said the fire started in the engine compartment.
“The crew pulled over to the hard shoulder and tried to tackle it with their own fire extinguisher, but it quickly got out of control,” he said.
“It was very lucky no one was injured.”
Part of the motorway was closed for around three hours as fire officers dealt with the incident.
Northern Ireland Health minister Michael McGimpsey said a full investigation would be carried out into the fire.
PA