SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. -- Croft firefighters are praising their protective gear after a close call earlier this week.
The department responded to a vehicle fire at approximately 5 p.m. on Feb. 3 when the pickup truck exploded on two firefighters, WCBD-TV reported.
Watch Helmet Cam Video of the Incident
The explosion was caused by the magnesium used in the production of most vehicles, but such explosions are rarely this large, according to the report.
Because the firefighters were their face masks and breathing apparatus, Fire Chief Lewis Hayes says they were able to spare themselves are more serious injuries.
"There's no doubt they would have suffered some very serious burns to their face" if they weren't wearing their protective gear, he told the news station.
He pointed out that many firefighters don't wear the gear to vehicle fires, but that it is wise to do so.
One of the Croft firefighters was wearing a helmet cam during the incident and while some helmet cam videos can spark controversy, Chief Hayes told WCBD-TV that he sees it as a learning tool.
"We can show other firefighters across the country that a routine call like this can turn into something that can end your career if you aren’t wearing your protective gear."
