WASHINGTON — Prince George’s County police officers and a firefighter came to the rescue when a man was trapped in a car engulfed in flames early Friday morning.
Police responded to a call about a car crash and car fire in the 2000 block of Lakewood Street in Suitland at about 12:30 a.m. A caller who reported the blaze didn’t believe anyone was inside the car, but when police responded they realized the driver was still inside.
Two officers worked to get the driver out of the car, but the flames were too intense.
Two additional officers joined the effort, manning fire extinguishers.
One of the officers was able to lift the hot door handle using his baton and they attempted to remove the man, but the extreme heat caused a tire to explode and the officers lost grip.
With the help of a firefighter, they finally pulled the man from the car.
Additional fire crews responded and extinguished the flames.
The victim, whose name has not been released, suffered severe burns and internal injuries. He is in critical condition, and is expected to survive, police say.
Officials have not released and additional details about what caused the car fire and crash.
Watch a video of the rescue:
