Barnegat Officer Pulls Man From Burning Car [VIDEO]
Dramatic footage of rescue captured on patrol car camera
Videos
A Barnegat police officer rescued a man from a car fully engulfed in flames in a bayfront neighborhood Monday evening, and a patrol car camera captured the incident.
Watch the video on YouTube here.
Officers Lauren Keilitz and Michael Diblasi responded to a neighbor's report of a car fire on Biscayne Road off Bayshore Drive at 8:44 p.m., said Lt. Keith Germain of the Barnegat Township Police Department in a press release Tuesday.
When Keilitz opened the 2005 BMW's rear passenger door and looked through the thick smoke, she realized that Mario Dischiavi, 57, was incapacitated inside the burning vehicle, Germain said.
Diblasi attempted to open the driver's side door, Germain said, but when he couldn't get the latch to release, he ran back to the patrol car to retrieve a window punch to break into the BMW.
Keilitz can be heard repeatedly yelling "Get out of the car!" in an audio recording of the incident.
Despite the flames, Keilitz was able to open the driver's side door, pull Dischiavi from the car and drag him to safety, said Germain. Dischiavi was tranported to Southern Ocean Medical Center where he was treated for smoke inhalation. Keilitz was uninjured.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire. In the video, Dischiavi's car appears to be parked in the driveway in front of a house. A recording of a Johnny Cash song can be heard playing in the burning vehicle.
Germain said Keilitz is an eight-year veteran of the Barnegat Police Department. She serves as a member of the department's patrol division and is an agency firearms instructor. Officer Michael Diblasi is a nine-year veteran of the Barnegat Police Department and serves as a member of the patrol division.
Armando Quiroz
10:09 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Breath-taking! God Bless them both.
Mike Howard
6:47 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
This should answer the question, Why do we pay for a Police Dept.? Great job all around. Makes me very proud to remember, I was one.
Bill Sierchio
7:02 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I will second that Mike! Great job Lauren! Just watched it on CBS news!
Michael J. Duffy
3:16 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Let me be a third on that. Outstanding job Lauren and Mike. I'm proud to have worked with you both.
Joseph Nolan
8:02 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Thank you to the heros on the Barnegat Police Dept. Officers Keilitz and Officer Dischiavi you two are the best. God bless you for saving that man. We are lucky to have such a great Police Dept. in Barnegat. They put their lives on the line everyday and too bad it goes unappreciated too much of the time. Keep up the great work! Thank You. Joe Nolan (Barnegat).
Tim
9:44 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
It was Officer Diblasi, not Officer Dischiavi. Dischiavi was the one in the car.
Ray
8:31 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Outstanding, both officers risked their lives to rescue that man. You have to wonder how it started and why was he still in the car. The NJ Chiefs have a valor award, and they should be recommended for it. I think they could win.
marlyn
10:34 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
last night the story was on ch 7- 11 PM news- it was the last story of the program- the news caster pronounced the town of Barnegat totally wrong!
Charles J. Giles
11:46 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Outstanding Phenominal Job By Both Officers. This shows how valuable our Police Departmentent! Congratulations to you both and Thank You to the entire Department for keeping us all safe! The coverage has been on every network that I have seen CBS, NBC,FOX,ABC, PIX11, Phily Etc. Barnegat PD You make us Proud!
Rick
1:13 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
KUDOS to Officers Keilitz and Diblasi.
Bill Sierchio
5:11 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wow! You guys are national news!
Well deserved recognition for our local heroes!
Congratulations once more, Mike and Lauren. I am proud to have worked with you both!
Michael P Hendrickson
6:22 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I don't know what the big deal is..That's their jobs..get over it already
Frank Gambino
12:35 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I would like to know what would your comment be, if YOU were the one in the car Mr Handrickson??????
marlyn
6:24 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
why does there ALWAYS have to be a negative comment??? officers did a great job
suz
6:36 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
What the big deal is that they both went above and beyond the call of duty...great job guys!
Joey h
7:14 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Mr Hendrickson.... You must be one of those people who are the first to complain and the first one to call the police when you need help. Do your self a favor and smash your computer so we don't have read your stuipd comments
Arthur DeGroot
10:34 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Thank You Officers Lauren Keilitz and Michael Diblasi for a job well done!
Lynne Scherer
11:49 am on Thursday, February 2, 2012
That's my nephew, Mike! Great job you two. It even showed up on the news here in Colorado!
BeyondReality
4:50 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-friends/index.html#/v/1429709512001/fox-flash-heroic-effort/?playlist_id=163196
http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-hero-cop-fireball-car,0,6871005.story
Great job guys!
Bob Wise
5:29 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
It was a great job by our police, but I don't think they would like support from someone with such little respect for the law like you. The law is not a joke. These brave officers are great examples of that. You and this Michael P Hendrickson guy give Barnegat a bad name. Just go and make your jokes someplace else.
BeyondReality
4:51 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
The only joke here is you... idiot
Bob Wise
5:47 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
No, making false accusations of a crime (like you did on the Patch, and had your comment removed) is not a joke. You have no respect for the law, so don't try to put false praise on these two brave officers. You show no respect for them, just like you show no respect for the terms of service of the Patch. Your account should have been deleted long before. To call anyone an "idiot" is just yet another of your many violations. You do a disservice to our men and women in blue. Shame on you.
BeyondReality
6:05 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Haha right. Well here is an idea you should try out. Why dont you cry about it more to everyone that will listen. Continue to post outlandish things that make you seem like a fool. Continue to rant and rave about everything you can possibly find.
I am sure no one will think you are an 80 year old retired winer who sits on patch all day and cries about everything they think of, it seems to have worked out for you so far.
Bob Wise
7:26 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
You have no respect for seniors "old retired winer". Just like you disrespect our police and the terms of service of the Patch. I am reporting you for your attacks. I can not believe that you are allowed to continue to violate the rules. It is people like you that give Barnegat a bad name. This story is about two brave officers that have brought pride to our community. Show some respect. Again Thank you officers. It is YOU that make us proud, not those who violate the law.
BeyondReality
9:56 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Your right... I am going to call you a Wambulance
Charles J. Giles
5:40 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
PIX 11 Studio Interview with our two Barnegat PD Heros. http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-hero-cop-fireball-car,0,6871005.story
Charles J. Giles
5:42 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Mr. Hendrickson, You have got to be kidding me. This story has gone National!!!! They are Hero's that went Above & Beyond The Call of duty to save Human Life!!!!
Michael J. Duffy
6:54 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Mr. Hendrickson, you have a problem. You asked what the big deal is, I'll tell you. While your friends and heroes were beating their three month old son and getting busted for heroin possession, ours were pulling a man from a fully engulfed vehicle. Today on Fox and Friends, Steve Doocy asked Officers Keilitz and DiBlasi what it is that lets them run toward a burning car while others run from it. They showed too much humility and modesty to answer him, so I will. It's called COURAGE. And thats the big deal
Rich
7:01 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Don't get your panties all in a bind about Mr. Hendrickson. If you read some of his comments on other subjects, you will see that all he does is make comments to incite a stern response.
Bob Wise
7:29 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
This BeyondReality guy is just as bad too. He makes fun of the law and accuses others of crimes, what a joke. At least these fools bring us together as one Barnegat in support of our police. Again GREAT JOB officers!
Cindy Heggan
7:07 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Great job Office Michael DiBlasi & Lauren Keilitz
You two are both Hero's
Charles J. Giles
8:15 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
@ Michael Duffy. Thank You for adding the comment about Fox. I only saw them on PIX11. Both Officers were Modest like it was just another day on the job. Pulling someone from a burning car, HELLO and smell the coffee. If it is no big deal then why has the story gone National. Not Bashing anyone just trying to show that what these 2 HERO'S did is out of the ordinary, and it bothers me when someone says whats the big deal. I was in Public Service for 18 years and the things I saw Police Officers due is way Beyond Their scope and call of duty. Great Job Once again to 2 Oustanding Members of our Police Force!