A MAGPIE had a lucky escape when firefighters rescued it from behind a gas fire.

The unlucky bird had apparently fallen down the chimney in Pool-in-Wharfedale and got wedged behind the gas fire.

The animal-loving house owners only became aware that

something was wrong when their tom cat, Charles William, started scratching and pawing at the fire place.

But help was at hand when six fire officers from Rawdon Fire Station dismantled the fire and released the bird - sooty but

otherwise unhurt.

Retired Jenny Kelley, who lives in Quarry Farm Lane, Old Pool Bank, with her husband John, said: "It was just so funny really. We phoned Rawdon Fire Station up but they said that they didn't have a spare engine and that we should call 999 because it was a humanitarian crisis.

"About ten minutes later a fire engine from Rawdon came speeding down the street, lights flashing. I was shocked when six burly firemen got out of the engine just to help find a little Magpie.

"They took the gas fire apart, put some sheets up so it couldn't escape and managed to get it out. We gave it a kiss and a cuddle and let it go, none the worse for its experience. It did leave behind a lot of soot.

"We probably wouldn't have heard if it hadn't been for Charles William's strange behaviour. I suppose the cat has saved its life really."

Fire officer Andy Cooper said: "We dismantled the fire. It must have been there for a day and it was a bit sooty, but it seemed to be all right.

"It must have flown down the chimney for some reason and then found it couldn't get out."

Unfortunately for Mrs and Mrs Kelly, their old gas fire was found to be broken when it was moved and Mrs Kelly has had to call a plumber and brave the floods to buy a replacement part.

"We're left with a bill for £75 and a pile of soot, but al least the Magpie's safe," she laughed.