An off-duty retired fireman pulled a 21-year old Long Branch man out of burning car around 5:45 a.m. in Holmdel Sunday morning, police said.

Todd D. Stathum was driving a 2004 Suzuki Forenza westbound on Van Shoick Road when his his vehicle struck a curb, left the roadway and traveled 50 yards before striking a telephone pole near Galloping Hill Circle, according to Sgt. Vincent Imperato.

The off-duty fireman, Nicholas Crosta, 56, of Toms River, witnessed the accident and helped Stathum to get out of car before it was engulfed in flames, said Imperato.

Holmdel Fire Company Number Two responded with two trucks and extinguished the flames. "It was a pretty big deal," said Company Chief John Boyle, Sr. "The car was completely engulfed. The telephone poles and wire were on fire," he said.

The fire company allowed the gas to burn off rather than risk the spilled fuel from the ruptured gas tank to flow into a nearby stormwater runoff sewer drain.

Stathum sustained minor injuries and was transported to Bayshore Community Hospital by Holmdel First Aid Squad. 

The cause of the Nov. 27 accident is under investigation, said Imperato.

The accident caused Van Schoick Rd to be closed in both directions for approximately one hour. The fire company was on the scene for three hours, said Boyle.

The investigating officer was Patrolman Jonathan Martin, assisted by Cpl. William Cusick, Ptl. John Allen and Ptl. Matthew Menosky.  

JCP&L and Verizon also responded to the scene.  The pole and wires involved will be under repair throughout the day.