# Fuelled by courage: Police seek petrol station legend

Date: 9 Oct 2026
Released by: New Zealand Police

## MediaRelease.co Summary

Counties Manukau Police want to thank an unidentified man who pushed a burning, unoccupied car away from a fuel pump at a Bombay petrol station around 12.10pm on 8 October. CCTV showed him release the handbrake and move the vehicle while others tackled the fire, Sergeant Mark Fleming said. The fire was put out without further damage, and anyone who knows the man can call 105 quoting 261008/1007.

## Original release

Police are searching for a man who sparked into action after a car caught fire at a petrol station in Bombay yesterday. Around 12.10pm, emergency services were called to reports of a vehicle fire on the forecourt of a Mill Road petrol station. As units arrived at the scene to provide assistance, the vehicle had already been removed from its position next to a pump. Sergeant Mark Fleming, Counties Manukau Highway Patrol, says a review of CCTV footage revealed a good Samaritan was responsible. "The footage shows the unoccupied vehicle well enveloped in smoke and flames when an unknown man approaches it. "The man very calmly enters the vehicle, releases the handbrake and pushes the vehicle away from the pump while others assist with the fire. "His brave actions prevented a much more serious situation from eventuating." Like all good heroes, the man then left the scene without any recognition. Police would like to make contact and thank him for his actions. "Not everyone is able to jump into action in a dangerous situation, and this man deserves to be acknowledged for his courageous quick-thinking,” Sergeant Fleming says. The fire was safely extinguished, and no other damage was reported. If you have information which could help us identify the man, please contact Police on 105, quoting file number 261008/1007.

## Key details

- Issued by: New Zealand Police
- Published: 9 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: New Zealand
- Original source: https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/fuelled-courage-police-seek-petrol-station-legend
- MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01789-fuelled-by-courage-police-seek-petrol-station-legend-09102026.html

Original source: https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/fuelled-courage-police-seek-petrol-station-legend
MediaRelease.co canonical URL: https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01789-fuelled-by-courage-police-seek-petrol-station-legend-09102026.html