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A mail carrier has been praised for "saving Christmas " after rescuing packages from a burning delivery truck when it went up in flames.

The shocking incident was caught on film by a passerby after the engine caught fire and quickly spread to the rest of the vehicle.

In the video , the driver can be seen lifting huge boxes out the back of the packed truck.

They were helped by a female passerby.

(Image: Copyright unknown)

The United States Postal Service truck caught fire just after 7am in Wake Forest, North Carolina, it was reported.

Packages damaged were wet not burned after firefighters doused the vehicle, ABC11 reports.

Eyewiteness Rob Harper told the broadcaster: "There was black everywhere, packages in disarray."

"The woman was obviously very concerned about the packages.

(Image: Copyright unknown)

"She did a heroic job of trying to save the packages first, especially at this holiday season."

Wake Forest Fire Battalion Chief Ed Barrett said: "If it wasn't for her quick thinking to pull right over and remove the parcels, it could have been tough.

"Somebody did save Christmas," said Barrett.