Kitten Falls 30 Feet Down Chimney in Askew Road


White Persian Luna escapes miraculously unhurt from her ordeal


Luna before and after her ordeal. Picture: RSPCA

Having just moved into their new home on Askew Road, the owners of Luna a white Persian kitten, were alarmed when they could hear her meowing but couldn’t find her earlier this month.

They were unaware that a fireplace boarded up behind the kitchen of their fourth floor flat and that the curious cat managed to squeeze her way in and fall down the 30ft drop below.

The RSPCA and fire services were called on Wednesday 15 September for assistance. The RSPCA’s rescuer Phil Norman attended the property.

He said: “Luna’s owner had only just moved in the previous weekend and had no idea there was a fireplace in the kitchen. Cats are incredibly curious and Luna had been exploring the area when she fell down the chimney. Despite her ordeal and her colour change - from a perfectly white cat to a very dirty grey - she seemed remarkably bright and uninjured.

“After several attempts to rescue her from the inside, the fire services had to knock a hole in the chimney which ran all the way up the Victorian block of flats in order to reach Luna. We were then able to reunite her with her grateful owner.”

Firefighters discover the hidden chimney shown on right
Firefighters discover the hidden chimney shown on right. Picture: RSPCA

Luna’s owner, Rogerio Areias, said, “I heard my other cat Leo meowing quite loudly but I thought as we had just moved in that they were making a bit of noise as they weren’t used to the new flat yet.

“I could hear Luna but I couldn’t see her at all and the meow sounded strangely distant so I thought she must be trapped somewhere. I’m so grateful to the RSPCA for rescuing her. She fell 10 metres so I’m really surprised she’s actually okay.”

Rogerio explained that Luna was covered in dirt and dust and she has a follow-up at the vets as she still has a little bit of a limp from her fall but otherwise, she miraculously came away unscathed.

He said that the 10 metre drop has also encouraged the four-month-old cat to ‘drop her attitude’.

He added: “She had a nervous disposition before but now her attitude has gone and she is so much more friendly. I think she must be grateful to be home and safe!”

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September 28, 2021