Brian Craig was headed home after a long night of work. A telecommunications officer at Allegheny Emergency Services, he’d pulled an extended shift at its Coraopolis offices when, driving inbound along the Parkway West near the IKEA, he spotted two cars on fire.

It was 6:02 a.m. Saturday when Craig, along with another motorist, stopped to help. He could feel the heat of the fire increasing, a billowing blaze, as they tried to rescue the drivers. Both were removed safely.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” said Craig, who detailed the ordeal at a Monday press conference held at Allegheny County Emergency Services (ACES).

In an instant, an impromptu response team had formed: Craig, the other motorist, a tow truck driver with McGann & Chester and about 10 other dispatchers with ACES.

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