Off-duty Southern California fire captain springs into action after driver crashes into Mission Viejo nail salon, sparking fire

Off-duty SoCal fire captain springs into action after driver slams into nail salon, sparking fire Dramatic video shows the salon completely engulfed in flames after the crash. Friday, November 6, 2026 5:16PM An off-duty fire captain is being praised for his quick actions after a driver crashed into a Mission Viejo nail salon, sparking a large fire. MISSION VIEJO, Calif. -- An off-duty fire captain is being praised for his quick actions after a driver in an electric vehicle crashed into a Southern California nail salon, sparking a large fire. Dramatic video shows the vehicle completely engulfed in flames in the side of the Mission Viejo building on Wednesday morning. Off-duty Fire Captain Chris Chang with the Orange County Fire Authority jumped out of his car and rushed to rescue the driver and clear the building after witnessing the crash. "Fortunately, there were bystanders with fire extinguishers, kind of knocked some of the initial flames down, and then helping assist, pull the lady out from the vehicle," Chang said. "And then from there, kind of sprung into action, I guess. Being off-duty, it's like, 'Well, alright, here we go.'" $11.4M shipment of Nvidia cargo stolen from Oakland El Cerrito High's football program, coach suspended after hazing allegations involving 22 teammates East Bay councilmember injured in violent attack by woman at park 2 hours ago Nearby firefighters who were responding to a different call then rushed to the scene and knocked down the fire before it could spread to the rest of the strip mall. "It was a little surreal for sure, but I guess it's either right place, right time, or just a coincidence," Chang said. Since he was off duty, Chang didn't have protective gear or oxygen, but that didn't stop him from jumping into action. Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved. Related Topics MISSION VIEJO ORANGE COUNTY CAR CRASH CRASH CAR FIRE FIRE FIRE DEPARTMENTS FIREFIGHTERS FIRE RESCUE ELECTRIC VEHICLES CAR INTO BUILDING BUILDING FIRE Live Streams ON NOW $11.4M shipment of Nvidia cargo stolen from Oakland El Cerrito High's football program suspended after hazing allegations East Bay councilmember injured in violent attack by woman at park 2 hours ago Meghan Markle's father Thomas Markle Sr. arrested by FBI in Florida 9 minutes ago Live updates: Karen Bass concedes to Nithya Raman in LA mayoral race 3 detained after 2 boys killed in Moss Landing State Beach shooting Death row commutations would affect Bay Area's most notorious killers VIDEO: CHP cruiser tumbles down embankment in Santa Clara County