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Philadelphia Police Officer Injured In Car Accident, Cruiser Catches Fire

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A Philadelphia Police officer was injured during a fiery car accident Saturday evening.

This happened just before 5:30 p.m. at 28th and Tasker Streets.

Police say the officer was responding to a radio call when the accident happened, and the police cruiser caught fire right after.

"When I came out to the corner I see the cop car on fire," says Dante Johnson, who lives just a few doors down from where the crash took place.

He says he heard the impact of the collision from his bedroom.

"We went to go pull the cop out the car. We got him off to the side to safety."

Terrance Lemon says his brother's quick thinking to help the officer made all the difference:

"The cop car burst into flames.  If it wasn't for my brother, I don't think that officer would have made it out that car."

The officer was pulled from the vehicle before the fire started and was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His condition is unknown at this time, but it is believed he will be okay.

The person in the other vehicle involved was also taken to HUP.

"The fire department took a while to come, so if it would have went off anymore, it would have a been a chain reaction with a bunch of parked cars on this block," says Johnson.

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