Ambulance Catches Fire in Cotter, No Injuries Reported

Cotter Fire Department responds to blaze on Highway 62/412

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A Baxter Health Ambulance caught fire on Tuesday afternoon in Cotter, Arkansas along Highway 62/412. The cab of the vehicle was fully engulfed, but firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze and prevent any chance of the onboard oxygen tanks catching fire. No one was injured in the incident, as the ambulance was not in service and only had the driver inside at the time.

Why it matters

Ambulance fires are rare but can pose serious risks to both emergency responders and the public if not handled properly. This incident highlights the quick response and coordination of local fire departments in Cotter to mitigate potential dangers and prevent any injuries.

The details

According to Cotter Fire Chief Lyle Jack, the Cotter, Gassville and Cotter-Gassville rural fire departments responded at 1:16 PM to the fire on Highway 62/412. The cab of the ambulance was fully engulfed, but crews were able to extinguish the flames before the onboard oxygen tanks could catch fire. Baxter Health reports the ambulance was an older model that was on its way to the shop, and the member of the ambulance team tried unsuccessfully to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.

  • The fire was reported at 1:16 PM on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Lyle Jack

Cotter Fire Chief who responded to the ambulance fire.

Baxter Health

The healthcare organization that owned the ambulance that caught fire.

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What they’re saying

“We are grateful no one was injured. There was no patient in the unit and it was not in service. It was an older ambulance that was on it's way to the shop.”

— Baxter Health (KTLO News)

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and safety protocols for emergency vehicles, as well as the quick thinking and coordination of local fire departments in responding to potentially dangerous situations.