TAMPA, FL – A woman from Tampa experienced a harrowing escape thanks to the quick actions of a Good Samaritan during a recent vehicle fire incident.

Incident Overview

Deborah Paxton was driving her boyfriend to work near Saint Petersburg when she was oblivious to the alarming situation unfolding in the back of her truck. On Wednesday morning, while en route, a biker caught her attention, frantically waving and shouting at her.

“‘Your car is on fire!’ And kept pointing up,” recalled Paxton. At that moment, she noticed black smoke and flames emerging from her vehicle.

Rapid Escape

Quickly, Paxton pulled over and evacuated the truck with her boyfriend and their dog, Willow. “The smoke started coming into the cab, the windows were cracking, and within seconds,” she explained, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

First responders confirmed that had they delayed their escape even briefly, the outcome could have been catastrophic. Paxton expressed her relief, stating, “We wouldn’t have made it out in time. I was scared it was going to blow up.”

Community Response

After the incident, Paxton took to social media, aiming to locate the Good Samaritan who helped her. Her heartfelt post expressed immense gratitude: “I can’t even express how thankful I am for this guy because I couldn’t be sitting here today if it weren’t for him getting our attention.”

The community’s response has been significant, with many believing they may know the identity of the biker. Paxton expressed a desire to meet him personally, stating, “I’d give him a big hug.”

Cause of the Fire

While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, Paxton speculates that it may have been triggered by someone flicking a cigarette out of their window, igniting the boxes and carpet she was transporting.