Two Ronkonkoma mechanics are being hailed as heroes Monday after rescuing a driver from a flaming car.

Edward Beedenbender and Rich McInerney were working across the street at their shop when a man crashed into a utility pole and fence off Lakeland Avenue. The car burst into flames, and the two men grabbed fire extinguishers and ran to help.

?It was a little scary for a while,? McInerney says. ?Especially when we couldn't get him out of the car and the fire was getting bigger.?

The mechanics say there were flames and smoke everywhere, burning up the entire car. Other civilians tried to help and a passing Nesconset fire rescue truck also pulled over. The men used the fire extinguisher to break the windows and then Beedenbender cut the driver?s seat belt, and the men pulled him out through the passenger side door.

Police are not releasing the driver?s name, but says a medical condition caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.