Caught on Tape: Officer Pulls Man Out of Burning Car

A Barnegat man is alive thanks to the heroic efforts of two police officers.

On Monday, at 8:44 p.m., officers Lauren Keilitz and Michael Diblasi of the Barnegat Police Department responded to a home on Biscayne Road after a neighbor reported a fire.

When they arrived they found a 2005 BMW 745i fully engulfed in flames.

Police say Officer Diblasi opened the rear passenger door and found Mario Dischiavi, 57, incapacitated while in the driver’s seat.

"I was shocked that there was someone in the car," said Officer Keilitz. "We didn't think there would be anyone in it."

Diblasi tried to open the driver’s door but could not get the latch to release. He then ran back to his patrol car to get a window punch in order to break into the car.

That’s when Officer Keilitz sprang into action. Despite the overwhelming heat and flames, she was able to get the driver’s door open and pull Dischiavi out of the burning car after he managed to unlock the door.

Dischiavi was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center and treated for smoke inhalation. He is now recovering at home. Police believe Dischiavi may have suffered from a medical condition and passed out. It's unclear however how the fire started.

Amazingly, Officer Keilitz was not injured in the incident. She is an eight-year veteran of the Barnegat Police Department, serves as a member of the department’s patrol division and is an agency firearms instructor.

Officer Diblasi is a nine-year veteran of the Barnegat Police Department and serves as a member of the patrol division.

"Seeing the video I was a bit surprised," said Officer Keilitz. "But while you're doing it we just thought we got to get this guy out and get everyone away from the car."

Video of the Dramatic Rescue: ((Keilitz can be seen pulling Dischiavi from the car at 1:15 and 2:50))