Ottawa fire officials say passersby rescued man from burning SUV after crash

Fire officials are crediting passersby with saving a man from a burning SUV in Ottawa on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013.

OTTAWA - Ottawa fire officials are crediting passersby with saving a man from a burning SUV.

The SUV, which was pulling a tent trailer, crashed into a driveway retaining wall on Monday afternoon and burst into flames.

Fire spokesman Marc Messier says bystanders attempted to open the driver's door, but had to break the window before they could cut the man from his seatbelt and pull him to safety.

Messier says the driver's boots had started to melt and the legs of his pants were about to catch fire when he was finally pulled out of the vehicle.

Messier says paramedics report the man is in serious but stable condition.