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The incident took place on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Grove Cemetery in Naugatuck, said the Naugatuck Fire Department on Facebook.
According to the department, firefighters responded to a reported car fire at Grove Cemetery. When they arrived on the scene, they found the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames after the fuel tank exploded and a small brush fire had erupted.
But the larger part of the event, according to the department, was that Prospect Fire Department Safety Officer Jay Kolodziej was at the cemetery when he noticed smoke and went to the area to investigate.
Kolodziej found the vehicle and called the Naugatuck Dispatch to respond. When he got closer to the vehicle, Kolodziej, noticed an unconscious person in the car.
He jumped into action and opened the door of the burning vehicle and pulled the person from the vehicle as flames encroached into the passenger compartment, the department said.
Kolodziej stayed with the person until fire and EMS arrived on the scene. The vehicle occupant was transported by Naugatuck EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.
"The Naugatuck Fire Department recognizes Prospect Fire Department Safety Officer Jay Kolodziej for his actions that certainly saved a life," the department said.
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