It sounds like a scene from a Hollywood action movie, but it is too real and too close to home for some heroes in Chatham-Kent.
Several Chatham-Kent citizens and emergency responders will be recognized this week for their bravery and quick actions to rescue a burning man from a car on fire just before it exploded in Tilbury.
Constables Ryan Federman and Trevor Biskey pulled the man away from the car just minutes before it exploded on December 1, 2022 on Ella Street in Tilbury.
The officers said they heard a hissing sound from the car when they arrived on the scene and discovered there was a propane tank inside the engulfed car.
Constables Federman and Biskey found the victim with his pants and a layer of skin on his legs completely burned off when they arrived. The officers also put out sparks to other clothing on the man.
Three good samaritans also helped the victim.
Roger Beaule ran out of his house and began extinguishing the flames with a blanket while Peter Laliberte helped and Lori Beaule called 9-1-1.
Emergency Communications Operator Charron took the initial emergency call and took over from dispatch when they had technical difficulty dealing with the situation.
Constable Quenneville stayed with the victim at the hospital until he was transferred to Toronto to treat his 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his hands, legs, and torso.
The following day, Constables Federman and Biskey also showed up to console and support the victim's family and the good samaritans that helped save the man's life.
Federman and Biskey will receive a Chief's Commendation at the police services board meeting on Wednesday for their quick action and good judgement.
Mister Beaule and Mister Laliberte will get a Board Citation for their good work.
Miss Beaule, Constable Danica Quenneville, Ian Scoyne, Emergency Communications Supervisor Jennifer Roesch, Emergency Communications Operators Chelsea Charron, Samantha Cowdrey, and Nicole Torrieri will get Deputy Chief Letters of Recognition for their teamwork and good communications skills.
"I strongly believe their collective response and actions demonstrated the collaborative efforts of our members and local citizens to function as a team in an extremely high stress situation," wrote Chief Gary Conn in a report going to the board on Wednesday. "Further, the collective effort by these parties recognized here today without a doubt brought a potentially critical situation to a successful conclusion with no loss of life."