You are sitting in your car in the car park at Bunnings South Lismore when suddenly a car explodes engulfing it in flames with the driver trapped inside.

That was the exact scenario facing local man Kevin Dowd on September 28, 2016.

Today, he was rewarded for his courage by receiving the Royal Humane Society of NSW Bronze Medal Bravery Award from Federal MP for Page Kevin Hogan and Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner.

Kevin had knee surgery two weeks before his heroic deed and was on crutches.

What makes you run towards a burning car while most people are fleeing?

"It was just instinct I think," Kevin said, "I just saw him yelling and screaming and on fire."

When Kevin reached the car he saw the man was stuck in the drivers seat.

"The seat belt clip had sorted melted and that whole side of him was burnt. I opened the door pulled the belt out and rolled him out of the car."

Soon after Kevin had pulled the man to safety, the car exploded a second time fully engulfing the vehicle in flames.

Kevin was not seriously injured but did suffer singed hair and burns to his right hand.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said “Kevin if not saving the man’s life certainly saved him from much more severe injuries.”

"This was an extremely dangerous situation as flames were engulfing the car. Kevin put his own safety at risk to assist a stranger. Just moments later the car exploded." 

Mr Hogan said these awards recognise the incredible life-saving efforts of people whose exceptional thinking and rapid responses saved lives in our community.

Kevin Dowd was also presented with a Certificate of Merit from NSW Police and a Commendation Award from Richmond Police District by Superintendent Scott Tanner.

"The first instinct for people these days is to reach for their mobile phones and record the incident whereas Kevin, who was already injured himself, put his own life at risk to help someone else and that's really a key ingredient for people who live in regional areas," Supt Tanner said.

"They look after their neighbours, they look after their friends, they look after their mates and this was a show of absolute bravery by Kevin. I'm extremely proud of his actions and very grateful that he is in our community."

Kevin was asked how he felt about being a hero and in typical Aussie understated fashion he replied "I don't think I'm a hero, just helpful I suppose."

Our community can do with a lot more Kevin Dowd's.