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Oreo the cat rescued from chimney after two-day ordeal

London Fire Brigade Image of a firefighter holding a ragged small cat in his armsLondon Fire Brigade
London Fire Brigade said Oreo got stuck in the chimney after a vacuum cleaner was switched on

A cat was rescued by firefighters after spending two days stuck in a chimney.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the pet, called Oreo, scampered up the chimney at a house in Bexley, south-east London, when the vacuum cleaner was switched on.

Ryan Senior-Ellison from LFB said Oreo's owner became "increasingly worried when he wouldn't come down".

Teams used a turntable ladder to rescue the trapped animal.

London Fire Brigade Image showing firefighters use an extending ladder to reach the chimney of the bungalowLondon Fire Brigade
LFB says it will always help to rescue animals when its specialist equipment is required

Crews from from Bexley and Greenwich fire stations were sent to the scene after a call on the morning of 29 March, with one fire engine, a fire rescue unit and a 32m (105ft) turntable ladder.

Sub officer Senior-Ellison said: "In the end, thanks to the crews' hard work and fantastic efforts, Oreo was reunited with his owner."

An LFB spokesperson added: "We always encourage people to call the RSPCA or another animal rescue organisation in the first instance and we will assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case.

"Firefighters love animals and we are ready, willing and able to assist distressed or injured animals - the last thing we want is for people to put themselves at risk rescuing an animal themselves."

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