WATCH: Man rescued from burning van by Jenks first responders

Some Jenks first responders rescued a man in a wheelchair who was trapped inside a burning van. It happened outside of a Jenks nursing home.

Police got to the scene first

Officers from Jenks Police and Jenks Public Schools arrived first at the call about a man trapped inside the burning vehicle. The first responders tried to pull down the wheelchair ramp in the back, but it wouldn't budge.

"Each second felt like a minute," said Officer Joshua Simpson, a Jenks Schools resource officer. "A lot of fear going through the mind."

Simpson says smoke and flames were pouring into the cab from the engine, so officers smashed a side window to pull the man out.

"I don't think anybody really knew clearly where he was sitting," said Simpson. "The flames were pushing a lot of smoke into the cab."

Prior training helped one of the officers

Sergeant Dylan Goode with Jenks Police was also trying to help. For him, old instincts kicked in.

"I was a volunteer fireman for 10 years," he said. "I have had some training in vehicle firefighting and vehicle rescues."

The rescuers carried the man from the van to get treatment as firefighters arrived and put the flames out. The officers say the quick actions from everyone, including the nursing home staff, helped save the man's life.

"You can't underestimate the value of teamwork," said Goode. "I think that's what this incident boiled down to."

Everyone is OK

The officers say there was even more urgency to get the man out quickly because there was an oxygen tank in the second row of the vehicle. The fire is believed to have started in the engine.

The man and the officers are all OK.