Harrison Thorp 5:24 a.m.
Thursday, January 12, 2017 5:26 am

The charred engine of a car at the Waterboro Hannaford. The two pooches, inset, were rescued from the vehicle and unharmed. (YCSO photos)

WATERBORO - A quick-thinking York County Sheriff's Office captain and a Good Samaritan came to the rescue of a couple of pups trapped inside a burning car at the Waterboro Hannaford on Wednesday.

It all started around 5 p.m. when a passer-by at the supermarket noticed a vehicle with two dogs inside was on fire. While he was notifying store personnel in an effort to locate the car's owner, YCSO Capt. Dan Bean overheard the man and jumped into action.

Bean first extinguished the fire which by that time had engulfed the engine compartment of the 2002 Pontiac and kept it from reflaring until Waterboro Fire and Rescue arrived.

The Good Samaritan and Captain Bean then removed the pooches - Dyna and Bruno - who appeared uninjured.

Another Good Samaritan held the two young dogs until the owner emerged from the store.

Patrick Mazzillo, 48, of Waterboro does not know why his vehicle caught on fire but was thankful for the people who intervened to help Dyna and Bruno.

Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,000.