'Chicago Fire' Star Jesse Spencer Helps With Real Life Rescue

"Chicago Fire" star Jesse Spencer found himself in a real-life rescue situation and leapt into action. He later stayed for photographs with the heroes of the Springfield, Ill. Fire Department.

Spencer and his family were touring the Illinois capitol when they got onto an elevator with others and soon realized that something was wrong.

"People started to freak out," the actor told the Chicago Sun-Times. "It was getting so hot. It's claustrophobic. One poor girl had a fear of being trapped in elevators."

Spencer, who was wearing a baseball cap with a firefighter's logo on it, was mistaken for an actual firefighter, even though he only plays one on TV. He decided to try and do the right thing by helping out. Spencer managed to pry the elevator doors open just enough to let in fresh air. That's when he realized that the elevator was stuck two feet below basement level.

"It relieved the tension," Spencer said. "I took turns getting people that were freaking out over near the door. I didn't want them sticking their heads out in case the elevator took off again."

Soon the Springfield Fire Department arrived on the scene and was able to rescue everyone in the elevator. According to Spencer, two women wanted their picture taken with the actual firefighters, not him. He later posed for photos with the Springfield firefighters and passengers. Spencer and his family continued their tour of the Springfield with a trip to Abraham Lincoln's home, tomb, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

"I think he knew that the fire department should be the one who should be called," Springfield Fire Captain Trey McCormick told People.

McCormick then asked if Spencer was star-struck to meet a real captain. Spencer plays a lieutenant on "Chicago Fire," which is set in the Illinois city. The show is incredibly popular and has already spawned one spin-off series, "Chicago PD."

"Chicago Fire" airs Tuesday nights on NBC.