Beloved cat reported missing for nine days is rescued by firefighters from chimney breast

Shadow has lived with her owner in Bromborough's Bruce Crescent since January after being adopted from charity Cats Protection League.

But Shadow had been reported missing at the beginning of July and hadn't been seen for nine days - until Wednesday July 17.

After hearing meowing from inside the house but dismissing it as imagination, Julie Hartley, the daughter of Shadow's owner said: "When my daughter visited her nan, she could hear the meowing too.

"She rattled some treats and the meowing grew louder.”

Shadow stuck inside the chimney breast

It was then when the family called Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and one fire engine attended the scene.

Firefighters checked the roof to see if they could see Shadow in the chimney but they could not see her.

Determined to find her, the firefighters then used thermal imaging camera to track Shadow down.

Watch manager Tony Franklin told the Globe: “After some time the cat was located on top of the log burner’s baffle plate.

"She had accessed this through an old boiler flue in the kitchen, which in turn had provided her access to the chimney breast.”

Poor Shadow was too big to fit through the inspection covers that firefighters had removed and so had to make a bigger hole for Shadow to escape.

Shadow

Thankfully Shadow was unharmed during the incident and has taken a trip to the vets as a precaution.

Julie said: “Mum was overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and kindness crews showed towards both her and Shadow.

"Mum, and the whole family, is deeply grateful for all of the help and time taken to rescue Shadow. Mum would like the firefighters to know just how grateful she is – Shadow means so much to her.”