Firefighters in Wembley responded to an unusual animal-related call out today – and it wasn’t to rescue a cat stuck up a tree.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) was told just after 11am this morning (March 27) that a swan had become stranded on a supermarket roof in Ealing Road.
Wembley station officer Ed Hawes said that firefighters quickly realised that the swan did not have enough room to take off, so deployed a 13.5-metre ladder to reach the bird safely.
A volunteer from a swan sanctuary, who made the initial call-out, joined firefighters on the roof and was able to capture the swan in a bag.
The animal was then brought down to ground level, where it was checked for injuries.
Station officer Hawes added: "Thankfully the swan, who we decided to name Steve, appeared unhurt and it was nice that were able to leave it in the care of the volunteer."
The rescue took around half an hour, with the incident ending for firefighters just after 11.30am.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Firefighters love animals 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.
"We always encourage people to call the RSPCA or another animal rescue organisation in the first instance and we will assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case."
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