Samaritan Braved an Inferno

A Canyon Country man broke the window of a burning car with his bare fists and plunged into the flames to rescue its driver, authorities said Tuesday.

Ray Arauz, 36, a student minister and volunteer at Holy Alamo Christian Church in Canyon Country, saved the life of Gilberte Henri, 65, Monday night, Sheriff’s Sgt. Saundra Crawford said.

“The car could have exploded at any moment,” Crawford said. “There is no doubt that the woman would have died if Mr. Arauz had not gone beyond ordinary rescue efforts.”

Henri, from Montreal, was in critical condition Tuesday with second- and third-degree burns over 50% of her body, officials said.

Arauz told authorities that he and a friend, Douglas Brubach, 39, a volunteer at the church, were using a public telephone on the side of the road near the church when Henri’s car coasted within 20 feet of the booth.

“At first I only saw a gigantic ball of fire,” Arauz said Tuesday. “But seeing that woman trapped inside was worse than any horror story I have ever seen.”

Arauz went to the burning car while Brubach ran to get help from a police car the two men had seen earlier.

Arauz, the father of two sons, ages 3 and 5 months, said he talked to God as he tried to get into the car.

“I tried the door, but it was locked,” he said. “When I could not find a rock or a stick, I just started asking God what should I do.

“I remember doubling my fists and beating at the window until it shattered. I tried to unhook the seat belt, but the flames started to burn my skin. Suddenly, I noticed that her legs were on fire.”

He said the seat belt finally melted.

Brubach, meanwhile, gave up trying to reach the police car and returned to help Arauz. They both rolled Henri in the dirt to extinguish the flames.

“The average person will react to an emergency, providing the situation is not life-threatening,” Crawford said. “But these two men, in particular Mr. Arauz, unselfishly gave their all to save another life.”

Henri was transferred to the burn unit at Torrance Memorial Hospital Medical Center on Monday night from the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia.

Arauz was treated at Newhall Hospital for first- and second-degree burns to his hands and forearms, authorities said. Brubach suffered minor burns.

Officials said Henri was northbound on Sierra Highway one mile north of Vasquez Way about 8 p.m. when the interior of her 1981 Dodge Colt caught fire. Fire officials speculated that Henri may have been smoking when a gasoline can in the back seat of her car turned over and fumes ignited, said Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Waters, a county fire investigator.