A quick-thinking tow truck driver in Tyler, Texas, helped prevent a potential gas station disaster. He saw a burning vehicle near the pumps and acted fast.

In January, Michael McComack had just started pumping fuel when his car suddenly caught fire. Flames shot up as he jumped out and called 911. That’s when Jeff Scott pulled into the lot.

Scott didn’t hesitate. He backed up, hooked the car, and dragged it away from the pumps. Witnesses say the fire looked close to 10 feet high. One man called the move heroic, KETK shared. Others just stood there, stunned.

The fire stayed away from the fuel lines, and no one got hurt. The gas station didn’t catch fire. Without the tow driver’s wrangling, it obviously could have gone very differently.

Gas station fires are more common than you’d think, and just as dangerous

The National Fire Protection Association reports that more than 4,000 gas station fires happen every year in the U.S. Fires that start at the pump can be the worst. If fuel ignites, the damage can be massive. In this case, timing saved lives.

According to the NFPA, these fires result in an annual average of three civilian deaths, 43 civilian fire injuries, and $30.0 million in direct property damage.

Despite the seemingly high gas station fire rate, we’re doing better with the stat than the 1980s. Back then, local responders could expect more than 7,000 gas station fires across the country each year.

McComack still doesn’t know what caused the fire. He said he’s lucky Scott showed up at the gas station when he did. He can replace his car…but he’s not sure what he would’ve done without help.