'Not just fires': 999 crew rescues tortoise trapped between two houses
A Black Country fire crew reminded residents it is not just fires it deals with after rescuing a trapped tortoise in Dudley.
The five-year-old animal had got itself trapped between between two houses on Merryfield Road in Russells Hall.
Three firefighters from nearby Dudley fire station were dispatched to the scene.
But there was no breathing apparatus or hose reels involved for once, as the crew used a spatula from inside one of the homes and a 'very long stick' to free the tortoise.
It has been reunited with its 'very relieved' owner after yesterday's incident
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "We had the call at 17.39 to Merryfield Road, Russells Hall, Dudley to a five-year-old tortoise trapped between two brick buildings. Fire crews used a household spatula and a very long stick to rescue the animal.
"The tortoise has now been reunited with its very relieved owner. We were there just under an hour as crews left at just before half past six."
West Midlands Fire Service tweeted after the rescue to quip it had been 'slow going'.
