Off-duty fireman rescues trapped driver from blazing car seconds before explosion

An off-duty fireman risked his life to free a motorist trapped in his overturned car, just moments before the vehicle exploded in a fireball.

The car was already full of smoke, with the unconscious motorist trapped inside, when firefighter Brant Baker, 43, stepped in.

He kicked open the door, crawled inside the wrecked vehicle on his back while the fire was coming through the dashboard, and released the driver's seat belt so he fell onto him. Within seconds of rescuing the 27-year-old, the car burst into flames.

Mr Baker, who works at Enfield fire station, said: "The guy was trapped upside down in a burning car. I had to get him out of there — simple as that. I felt around for the seatbelt and got lucky. I don't think it was the fireman in me. When you've got your uniform on and the hosepipe in your hand, you feel like Superman — but this was different.

"I wasn't in uniform, I was just an ordinary guy seeing someone in danger. I would have tried to save him even if I wasn't a fireman. I'm just glad this man's mum has still got her son and his family aren't grieving his death."

Mr Baker, who saw the accident at about 8pm in Harlow said the car was already full of smoke. He asked bystanders for help but they were too scared to go near the burning car.

The firefighter, from Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, told the Daily Mirror: "Just as I was dragging him out, the car exploded. He's a very lucky man." Essex fire commander Steve Forster said: "He saved the man's life."

The driver, from Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, was treated in hospital for minor injuries. He was later arrested on suspicion of drink driving and has now been released on bail.