Santa Claus makes his way around New Jersey on fire trucks this time of year. When duty calls, the big man jumps in to help.

On Tuesday night in Old Bridge, photos show Santa alongside the rest of the South Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Company at a house fire on Sioux Street.

“I didn't think much of it until afterwards,” said firefighter Mike Hawkins. “And then I saw pictures of myself out on the front lawn. I was a little concerned that I was going to ruin that real expensive Santa suit!”

There were no injuries to the fire crew or the people who lived at the house, but it is uninhabitable at this time.

Hawkins has had this seasonal job for 29 years. That famous red suit isn’t quite up to fire codes, so he pitched in from outside.

“We made the supply connections and helped pull hose for the entry team to get into the house and get the job done,” Hawkins said.

The department continued the annual Santa run the next day, so no one missed out on the fun of the season.

“I think the community may have had a little different view of what Santa does on the fire truck,” Hawkins said.

And for the family suddenly struggling before the holidays, Hawkins says he hopes the community can pitch in to provide a good Christmas, and that perhaps, the big man in red may have helped.

“I just hope that, somehow, someway, having Santa there can just bring a little spirit of Christmas to them in a really bad situation,” Hawkins said.