A CRITICALLY-ill Newport pensioner had to be ferried to hospital in the back of a fire engine because there were no ambulances available, housing association officials said.

John Davies, 67, of Trinity Court, Potter Street, Pill, was rescued by firefighters at 1pm on Wednesday following a fire in his flat’s lounge. He sustained severe burns and was suffering from smoke inhalation.

After waiting 20 minutes and being told there were no ambulances or paramedics available, firefighters deemed Mr Davies' condition so serious, they placed him on a board, lifted him into the engine and took him to Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital themselves, a spokeswoman for flat owner Charter Housing revealed.

She said: “We are all very concerned and were stunned, shocked and astounded this happened.”

The complex’s manager was alerted to the fire by an alarm. After she failed to get into the flat, fire crews from Maindee and Duffryn rescued Mr Davies.

The spokeswoman added: “We were initially told there were no ambulances or paramaedics available. It seemed like forever we were waiting, but was probably 15 or 20 minutes.

“Everyone was asking where it was. But, John was quite serious, so the firefighters decided to take him. Some of the elderly residents have been left distressed by this.”

An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, added: “If it was a member of my family who had to be taken in a fire engine, I wouldn’t be happy. This was a life or death situation.

“The firemen were doing their best but they were calling for an ambulance and one didn’t come.”

Mr Davies arrived at hospital at 1.30pm in a critical condition, the fire service said. It received a call to the site just before 1pm.

Mr Davies has since been transferred to the specialist burns unit at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, and was last night stable.

Chief fire officer for South Wales, Andy Marles, said: “It is not ideal for patients to be transported to hospital by fire engine, however, firefighters will naturally do all that they can to assist the public in their hour of need.”

He said emergency services are working with ambulance officials to try and avoid such situations occuring.

A Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman said: "While we cannot comment on individual cases, should the patient or their family wish to contact us directly, we would be happy to discuss the case with them."

The incident follows Gwent families' calls to health minister Edwina Hart to step in and end delays waiting for ambulances, in Thursday’s Argus.

This was after an 86-year-old Newport woman was left facing down on the floor for 10 hours and an 86-year-old man waited 12 hours after suffering a stroke.

Gwent Police chief Mick Giannasi also said in May 2009 that officers feared someone could die in the back of a police car being taken to hospital.

This was after police officers had to take 92 people to hospital in six months due to a lack of ambulances.