Cat caught in a jam - 10 firefighters answer call

Ten firefighters answered the call to rescue a cat stuck in a washing machine.

Paihia's volunteer firefighters turned Animal Rescue crew when they were called to free a cat stuck in a washing machine.

An elderly School Rd resident raised the alarm just before midnight on Tuesday when her cat got its paw stuck and was unable to free itself.

Fearing it would be stuck all night she called the fire brigade, but she didn't expect the fire communications centre in Auckland to send two fire appliances.

Station officer Michael Fayne said the cat owner was "a bit astounded" to see four firefighters appear at her doorstep armed with boltcutters, hacksaws and tool boxes - and even more surprised when six more followed moments later.

The cat had one claw stuck in the washing machine lid near the hinges. Mr Fayne said he was willing to bet the cat had been chasing an insect which had sought refuge in the gap around the lid.

The rescue was straightforward and did not require saws or cutters. All it took was a little help and coaxing from one of the volunteer firefighters, a police officer in his day job.

The cat did not hang around to say thanks but ran off as fast as its legs could carry it. The owner, however, was grateful.

Mr Fayne said the call-out drew a good response from the volunteers. They were a little puzzled over the decision to send two crews but accepted it with good humour.

Earlier in the day the brigade was called to a serious crash on Puketona Rd where the firefighters had to cut a young woman from a wrecked car.