Civilians, Police Officer Pull Driver From Burning Car In South Jersey

PLEASANTVILLE, NJ — An Egg Harbor Township police officer is being celebrated for pulling a driver out of a burning car in Pleasantville.

That officer, K9 Officer William Burns, emphasized that he was helping civilians rescue the driver and that it was a team effort. He also said that he was "just doing (his) job."

It was about 9 p.m. on Feb. 7 when a vehicle lost control on Delilah Road, crashing into a utility pole and landing in the marsh, the Pleasantville Fire Department said. The vehicle burst into flames which spread into the surrounding marsh, burning about 75 by 75 feet, officials said.

Burns was driving through Pleasantville when he saw the vehicle on fire, Egg Harbor Township police said in a statement. Civilians on location told Burns that the driver was still inside.

Burns began to knock down the flames with a fire extinguisher and heard yelling from inside the vehicle. He instructed the driver to climb toward the back as the passenger compartment caught fire, police said. Burns and civilians pulled the driver to safety.

The severity of the driver's injuries are unknown.

While Burns was credited for saving the driver's life, he wanted to be sure that the others who helped him are identified.