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Employee extinguishes fire, saving mail and equipment

Hero Samuel Cardella
North Texas P&DC Mail Handler Samuel Cardella

North Texas P&DC Mail Handler Samuel Cardella was checking a driver’s paperwork recently when he heard a loud explosion.

He ran outside and saw a semitractor on fire. After determining it was safe to do so, Cardella grabbed the nearest fire extinguisher and began spraying the flames.

Once the fire was extinguished, a trailer attached to the tractor was moved. Cardella wanted to protect the mail inside in case the tractor reignited.

“The trailer was loaded 100 percent with Priority Mail [but] all ended well,” he said.

Vehicle Maintenance Manager James Brown praised Cardella.

“Sam did a great job. He put the fire out, saved the customer’s mail and saved our tractor-trailer,” Brown said.

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