Pub intruder sees light after night stuck in chimney

A suspected burglar was arrested yesterday after spending seven hours trapped inside the chimney of a pub.

The man, who was in his late 20s, was rescued from the ventilation shaft of the Twin Farms pub in Kenton Bank Foot, Newcastle upon Tyne, at 6.20am, his cries for help having been heard by a delivery man.

As he was returned to the light by fire crew, the suspect tried to make off, returning to the pub roof. He later came down to the ground where he told police he had climbed into the chimney at 11.30pm to retrieve a lost cat. He is helping officers with their inquiries.

A fire brigade spokesman said the rescue operation had been complicated by the fact that he was stuck in a bend 12ft down the chimney. Attempts to cut him out with specialist equipment failed and he was eventually recovered using a looped rope, lowered into the chimney and attached to his foot. He was then dragged to safety.