WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC ABC store catches fire, good Samaritan credited for saving man's life

BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (WECT) – A good Samaritan is credited for saving the life of a man stuck inside his burning truck Tuesday night in the parking lot of an ABC store in Boiling Spring Lakes.

Lance Corporal David Shouse was on his way to Southport to buy a boat when he noticed a truck on fire that had crashed into the liquor store on George II Highway.

Shouse pulled into the parking lot and saw a man inside the truck struggling to get free. Shouse was able to pull the man from the truck and stay with him until EMS arrived.

"He was trying to get out of the truck," explained Shouse. "He was partially out of the truck then I grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side of the road."

The Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department say Shouse saved the Steven Earley's life.

"The Marine Corp teaches you selflessness," said Shouse.  "The vehicle was on fire and I wanted to make sure no one was in it.  I didn't want to see anyone get hurt."

Earley was charged with DWI, but was not taken to jail.  Authorities wrote the citation at the hospital when Earley was released.

Officials believe the truck was already on fire when it plowed into the ABC building, causing the flames to spread. The fire reportedly spread to the store's wooden overhangs and into the building's attic.

Investigators said the store suffered significant water and smoke damage to the front end of the building. Most of the alcohol was not destroyed in the fire, except for the airplane bottles behind the counter.

According to Fire Chief Chris Grace, the entire store would have exploded had the flames reached the bottles of alcohol.  He says his department's quick response is why the store is still standing.

The total amount of damage to the store has not yet been determined.

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