By FireRescue1 Staff
WINDSOR, Va. — An off-duty volunteer firefighter prevented a potentially dangerous explosion after spotting a gas pump fire Wednesday night.
Firefighter Aaron Echols was at dinner with his niece when he saw a gas pump across the street catch fire, reported WTKR.
“I just acted on my instincts and used the training I’ve been given, to do what was needed for the community,” Echols said.
Echols put on his turnout gear and used a fire extinguisher from a police officer’s patrol car to extinguish the fire.
“Had he [the police officer] not had that fire extinguisher who knows what could have happened,” Echols said. “It could have gotten bigger, it could have hit another pump.”
Police arrested Raydrin Smith, 26, after he crashed into a pump with his vehicle and struck officer C.J. Griffin. Griffin was released from the hospital Thursday.
“It could have been way bigger than it was,” Echols said. “I’m thankful that it wasn’t, thankful everyone is OK.”