Driver Pulled to Safety from Burning Car in South Jersey

In Pleasantville, a police officer from Egg Harbor Township is receiving praise for saving a driver from a burning vehicle.

That officer, K9 Officer William Burns, stressed that it was a team effort and that he was assisting citizens in rescuing the driver. In addition, he claimed to be "just doing (his) job."

According to the Pleasantville Fire Department, a car lost control on Delilah Road at around 9 p.m. on February 7 and crashed into a power pole before falling into the marsh. According to officials, the car caught fire and moved into the nearby marsh, scorching roughly 75 by 75 feet.

According to a statement from Egg Harbor Township Police, Burns observed the car on fire while driving through Pleasantville. Burns was informed by on-scene civilians that the driver was still inside.

Burns heard shouting coming from inside the car as he started using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. When the passenger compartment caught fire, he told the driver to climb toward the back, according to the authorities. The motorist was taken to safety by civilians after suffering burns.

It is uncertain how serious the driver's injuries were.

Burns wanted to make sure that the other people who assisted him were recognized, even if he was given credit for saving the driver's life.