An off-duty Stamford firefighter helped stop an intentionally set fire at a gas pump on New Year's Eve.
Firefighter Dave Williams was driving by, when he saw "basically a river of fire."
Without hesitation, he stopped and ran toward the flames. "I was afraid it could get bigger," he told NBC4.
Williams, who gradiated from the fire academy in July, added that his first concern was if the vehicle was occupied.
He was joined in the effort by two others and the gas station attendant. Later, he learned that the pair were off-duty Newtown firefighters. Williams said it was teamwork by all that made the difference.
Paola Monsalve, 28, is facing second-degree arson and first-degree reckless endangerment charges after police said she tried to torch her own car, The Stamford Advocate reported.
Sgt. Damein Rosa said surveilance footage shows Monsalve starting the pump and going into the station restroom. She returned to find the pump still runnning and spewing a trail of gas.
Monsalve went back into the station and purchase a lighter. She used it to start the spilled gas, reports indicated.
