This is the moment heroic passersby risk their lives to save a 50-year-old drink-driver from a burning car after he crashed into a pole and fell unconscious.

The incident, captured on a CCTV camera installed on the utility pole, took place in Westlake, Ohio, at around 5 pm on Sunday, November 16.

Footage shows the white sedan driven by Justin Trissel crashes into the pole, with him passed out behind the wheel.

Within seconds, a fire erupts under the bonnet, trapping Trissel inside.

Three men witness the crash and rush to the car to rescue the driver.

As the fire spreads, the men struggle to free the unconscious driver, whose seatbelt appears to be stuck.

Despite the flames growing rapidly, they continue to try and free him until one of them finds scissors, cuts the seatbelt, and pulls the driver to safety.

It later emerged that two of the rescuers were brothers Mayzr and Mazen Yousef, who happened to be driving by at that moment.

Westlake Police praised the brothers' bravery, noting that the car fire spread quickly within two minutes before officers arrived.

Trissel was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The police shared the video on November 20 and issued a reminder to the public: 'Don't drink and driver - with the beginning of the holiday season this is a good reminder for all - if you are drinking - use a ride share, or other safe or sober driver.

'There are no excuses. It is too easy.

'Luckily, Good Samaritans stopped to help this intoxicated driver. In the two minutes it took a WPD officer to arrive on the scene, the vehicle fire expanded quickly. Great job by the citizens.'

Trissel was charged with drink-driving and failing to control his vehicle, the police added.