In a remarkable turn of events, former “Chicago Fire” cast member Brian J. White, who portrayed Dallas Patterson

on the acclaimed firefighting drama, recently took action in real life that echoes his on-screen role. Last week, White

was one of several Los Angeles residents who successfully intervened in an attempt to start a fire, detaining a

suspected arsonist amid the growing wildfire threats in the area.

White shared his harrowing experience with Deadline, explaining that he was in the midst of preparing to evacuate his Los Angeles home due to the looming wildfires when he heard alarming shouts outside. Concerned for his safety and that of his neighbors, White ventured out to investigate the commotion, only to discover a man identified as Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva allegedly trying to ignite a fire using a blowtorch.

“I heard screaming, ‘Put it down, put it down,’” White recounted. “I thought somebody had a gun and my neighbor was in duress, so my daughter went and hid in the closet. I went running upstairs to go outside and help my neighbor.”

The situation escalated as Sierra-Leyva was reportedly seen attempting to ignite a fire with items from White’s trash, which included sticks and leaves. Fortunately, other neighbors joined forces with White to confront the suspected arsonist. “We backed the guy against our neighbor’s house that he was standing in front of, asking him why he was in the neighborhood,” White added.

Taking matters into their own hands, White and his neighbors made the decision to detain the suspect until law enforcement arrived. “We took him down, detained him, and waited for the police,” he explained. Remarkably, 16 police cruisers responded within about seven minutes of their call, swiftly taking the suspect into custody.

As Dallas Patterson on “Chicago Fire,” White’s character was known for his tumultuous arrival at Firehouse 51, often butting heads with veteran firefighter Kelly Severide, played by Taylor Kinney. Though Patterson’s character faced challenges in winning over his peers, he ultimately gained their respect, fostering friendships with team members such as Chief Boden, portrayed by Eamonn Walker. While White’s time on the show was brief, his real-life heroism adds an intriguing layer of authenticity to his connection with firefighting.

This extraordinary incident serves as a testament to White’s courage and quick-thinking, bolstering his firefighting credentials—a detail that fans of “Chicago Fire” might appreciate even more during their next rewatch of Season 4.