Off-Duty Ronkonkoma Firefighter Saves Driver From Burning Car

LAKE GROVE, NY — A Ronkonkoma Fire Department lieutenant is being hailed as a hero for pulling a man from a burning car Monday night.

Lt. Michael White was off-duty and driving south on Hudson Avenue in Lake Grove shortly after 7 p.m. when he saw a vehicle on fire at the intersection of Schoolhouse Road and Smith Street.

White pulled over and radioed into Ronkonkoma fire dispatch, advising that a person was hanging out of the driver's side window.

"Without hesitation, or concern for his own safety, Lieutenant White quickly sprung into action and pulled the driver from the burning vehicle, removing him to safety," the Ronkonkoma Fire Department said in a news release.

The driver was taken to nearby hospital, but is expected to recover.