Firefighters called to a rescue a cat stuck in a tree were left stunned when it rescued itself - using their ladder.
A London Fire Brigade crew Norbury Fire Station was called in to help the RSPCA rescue a precarious puss that was stuck around 25ft up a tree on Harcourt Road in Thornton Heath.
Firefighters pitched a ladder and getting ready to rescue the cat, when it slowly made its own way down the rungs.
Station Commander Richard Hamilton, who was at the scene, said: “We couldn’t believe it - I’ve been in [The Fire Service] more than 25 years and I’ve never seen a cat do that before.
“The poor cat had apparently been up there more than 48 hours, but seemed fine when it came down – it just ran off without so much as a thank you.
"Firefighters went to the aid of the cat after the RSPCA requested our assistance as they didn’t have the equipment to reach it.
“Once they’ve pitched the ladder, crews would usually go up to try and retrieve the cat, but the RSPCA inspector advised us to stand back and sure enough, it made its own way down the ladder.
“The work of a firefighter is varied and involves all sorts of different incidents 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 – but we do encourage people to call the RSPCA in the first instance and we will assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case.”
