( CNN ) -- A Massachusetts woman is calling Lt. Gov . Tim Murray a hero for helping her two grandchildren to safety after the minivan in which they were riding caught fire . Murray was driving Tuesday evening in Worcester , Massachusetts , where he lives , according to a statement from the governor 's office . `` [ He ] noticed a parked minivan with a tire on fire . The Lt . Governor pulled over , dialed 911 , and as he was doing so , heard a nearby individual scream that there were children in the vehicle , '' according to the statement . `` The Lt . Governor approached the vehicle and helped the children get out safely to their grandmother , who was nearby . '' Firefighters extinguished the fire . `` The Lt . Governor is happy that everyone is safe , '' the statement said . Ruth-Ann Manozzi told CNN Boston affiliate WHDH she had pulled over to pick up a friend . As Manozzi got out of the minivan to inform her friend of her arrival , Murray drove by and noticed her tire was on fire , the station reported . According to Manozzi , the fire was spreading and Murray , a former mayor of the city , dumped a pail of water on the tire . His rescue attempt frightened the minivan occupants at first , however . `` And there 's this man trying to force open the car door , and the kids are locking it . The first thing you think is someone 's trying to get into your car , '' Manozzi told WHDH . `` I was gon na smack him . I yelled , 'Get away from my car ! ' `` said Manozzi . Murray , who helped pull the children out of the minivan after they unlocked the doors , downplayed his actions Wednesday . `` I 'm lucky she did n't punch me in the nose , '' Murray said . `` Like any good grandmother , she was worried about her kids ' safety . ''
Lt . Gov . Tim Murray of Massachusetts saw a van set on fire . He assisted and pulled two men from the vehicle as fire ##men . Representative Ruth - Ann Johnson calls him a hero for his actions .