Firefighters rescued a woman in California after she managed to get stuck in a chimney. It remains unknown how she managed to get lodged inside.
The Los Angeles Fire Department posted a brief news release about the incident on August 5, explaining that the woman got stuck in San Ferdino. The fire department was called to the 200 Block of North Avenue. When they arrived, they found a woman they believed was roughly 30 years old stuck inside a chimney.
The news release reveals that firefighters found the woman “about three feet (36 inches) deep within a ‘small chimney’ (unspecified dimension).” Authorities also confirm she was conscious and alert as firefighters freed her. Many details about the incident remain unclear. The fire department admits, “The woman’s site affiliation and circumstances of her entrapment are not yet known.”
Witnesses Allege The California Woman May Have Been Drunk At The Time
According to a report by NBC Los Angeles, it took authorities at least thirty minutes to free the woman from the chimney. The outlet shared a video of workers hoisting her free with ropes and pulleys. The incident reportedly happened at around 7:30 PM.
One Witness, Jose Rivera, told NBC Los Angeles what he saw. “I don’t know how she made it up there. But she was just dancing around, just making noises, laughing, joking,” Rivera explained. “Then, before we knew it, we turned around, and now she was trying to climb up onto the chimney that’s there.” Rivera pointed out her strange behavior, saying, “She somehow lost control. I don’t know if she did it intentionally, but she fell into the chimney.”
The outlet allegedly spoke to community members. They reportedly said they recognize her as an “unhoused woman” who frequents the area. Witnesses also claim she appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Another witness told ABC7 there was a half-empty bottle of tequila in the woman’s backpack. It’s unclear if she consumed any prior to getting onto the roof.
The Los Angeles Fire Department transported the woman to a local hospital after freeing her. First responders described her condition as “Fair.”