A City of Vaughan fire captain was honoured by the city for pulling a trapped Richmond Hill mother from her burning vehicle.

And Vic Ennamorato, the 51-year-old firefighter serving out of Vaughan Fire & Rescue Service Station 7-10, is still patently modest about it, said Larry Bentley, acting fire chief of the city’s fire and rescue service.

Ennamorato was driving home with his daughter when they passed an overturned SUV near Kirby Road and Jane Street. Although Ennamorato didn’t know it at the time, two cars had collided, setting one aflame before it struck an SUV driven by Richmond Hill native Milena Morelli, a Toronto District Catholic School Board teacher. The SUV had incurred extensive damage and was also set on fire in the resulting collision. Morelli was trapped inside by the vehicle’s deployed air bags.

Seeing the incident in his rear-view mirror, Ennamorato turned around to see if he could help. Noticing smoke building up in the damaged car, Ennamorato’s daughter called the police.

The fire captain eventually obtained a crowbar, which he used to break the SUV’s rear and passenger-side windows. He also put out most of the fire using a fire extinguisher he often carries. This gave Morelli, a mother of one, the chance to crawl out through the rear of the vehicle to safety.

Ennamorato’s bravery was celebrated during a ceremony at a city council meeting last month, with several attendees giving speeches congratulating him for his heroism, including Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

Bentley was also thrilled that Ennamorato was recognized for his act.
“[The residents of Vaughan] are protected by the best,” he said. “And Vic Ennamorato is one of the best.”