With not one but two wrecks on Highway 6 Tuesday afternoon, there were plenty of people sitting in traffic.
And after crews had responded to a rollover, another accident happened sending a pick-up underneath a semi-truck.
But before firefighters could reach the wreck, College Station Police had to deal with the worst situation possible. A trapped driver and an engine fire.
"The priorities changed as soon as we saw flames coming from the engine compartment," said McCollum.
Assistant Police Chief Scott McCollum was on the scene and had to act fast.
"There is nothing worse then to be in a situation where you need a fire extinguisher and you don't have it," said McCollum.
Fortunately other officers as well as other motorists had fire extinguishers that police used to hold back the engine fire until the fire department arrived. Saving the driver by holding back the flames.
"CSPD, CSFD, and the citizens all came together as a team and stabilized the situation," said McCollum.
"The people that did use the extinguishers were trained to use the extinguishers," said Jon Mies with the College Station Fire Department.
Mies says keeping a extinguisher in you car is a good thing and that heat is not a factor.
"If you have the ability to keep it secure in your truck, it's good to do that. You don't need it rolling around, it's not good for it to be flying around," said Mies.
And when it comes to a few seconds, the fire extinguisher used during Tuesday's wreck was literally a life saver.
"It hit me how different today could have been if things went in a different direction. We're very grateful for those that came together and worked as team to bring the situation under control," said McCollum.
According to the College Station Fire Department a B-C fire extinguisher is best to keep in your car because it is designed for fuel and electrical fires. Those extinguishers can be bought at any hardware store in B/CS.
CSFD also offers free training on the proper use of fire extinguishers through the Citizen's Fire Academy and will provide free training for businesses with fire extinguisher training class.
We've got the links to more information below.
