Man trapped in Chimney in Johannesburg, South Africa

Joburg emergency personnel have battled for two hours to free a man trapped in a chimney.

The 21-year-old became stuck after allegedly trying to make his way into a Yeoville house through an L-shaped chimney on Sunday.

Emergency personnel first tried to pull him out through the top of the chimney. When that didn't work, they broke their way into the chimney from inside the house.

"He was hanging in there and we broke away some bricks to free him," said spokesperson Malcolm Midgley. The injured man was taken to hospital.

Homeowner Gavin Almazien thought it was a joke when a friend told him someone was in his chimney. He later found out it was a man who had lived with him in the house for about six years.
"I asked him to leave as I couldn't handle his behaviour anymore," Almazien said, adding: "He knew he could knock at my door at any time for help."

By Poloko Tau
This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on September 11, 2006