An off-duty Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue firefighter helped rescue a man Tuesday when his vehicle caught flames after hitting a tree on Ridgetop Boulevard in Silverdale.

Firefighter Terry Fassett was driving northbound on Ridgetop Boulevard when he observed the single-vehicle accident. Fasset then got out of his truck and made contact with a bystander who had witnessed the accident and was on the phone with 911. He then approached the Jeep that had its windshield broken, along with all front airbags and side curtains deployed.

Fassett made contact with the driver, a male in his 60s, and began checking him for injuries. The driver suffered a fracture to his right arm and had minor facial injuries. A small fire ignited at the front passenger corner of the vehicle. Fassett attempted to put out the fire with an extinguisher but was unable to.

The patient was not able to get out on his own so Fassett cut his seatbelt and carried him away from the scene. While waiting for crews to arrive, Fassett made sure folks stayed away from the vehicle when it became fully engulfed in flames. Crews from CKFR put out the vehicle fire once they arrived.

“We are extremely proud of A/O Terry Fassett’s actions, but not at all surprised,” a CKFR news release stated. “Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue is fortunate to have him as a member serving this community.”