SHREWSBURY, PA – A quick-thinking police officer went beyond the call of duty after a vehicle caught fire in a supermarket parking lot Saturday evening.
Southern Regional Police said the blaze broke out around 6:49 p.m. in the Giant parking lot on South Main Street.
When officers arrived, they found a mother and her young child who had safely escaped the burning vehicle.
Officers contain flames until firefighters arrive
Police used fire extinguishers to control the flames before the Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Department arrived and fully put out the fire. Authorities said no one was injured, though the car sustained significant damage from the heat and smoke.
Due to the fire damage, the child’s car seat was rendered unsafe for further use, leaving the family without a secure way home.
Officer replaces car seat out of pocket
Recognizing the family’s need, Officer Hanson of the Southern Regional Police Department drove to a nearby Walmart and purchased a replacement car seat with his own money. The officer then delivered it to the mother, ensuring the child could leave safely.
Police credited both the officer’s compassion and the swift teamwork between law enforcement and the Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Department for preventing injuries and assisting the family in the aftermath.
Key Points
- Police and firefighters responded to a vehicle fire at the Shrewsbury Giant on Saturday evening.
- A mother and child escaped safely before officers contained the flames.
- Officer Hanson purchased and donated a new car seat after the original was destroyed.