Stockton Teen Rescued From Chimney
STOCKTON (CBS13) — Stockton firefighters had to remove part of the chimney at a home Thursday in order to free a teenage boy who was stuck inside.
At about 11 a.m., firefighters pulled the 18-year-old out of the 12-by-14-inch wide chimney at 520 Baker Street using ropes tied to his hands.
According to firefighters, the teen's family first said he became stuck while trying to sneak inside after curfew but later said the boy was only cleaning the chimney.
A fire official said he was probably stuck in the chimney for a couple of hours before his mother heard him saying, "help me!"
"I would guess that he had his hands on the edge and released into the chimney thinking that it would be a nice, smooth transition into the house, but it just didn't work out that way," said Stockton Fire Department Battalion Chief Van Riviere.
The teen's feet could be seen dangling into the fireplace, which is located in his room, before he was pulled back out through the roof.
Once out, the teen did not appear to be injured. He said a few words in Spanish and then hid in his room when CBS13 went inside the home briefly before being told to leave by the boy's mother.
The chimney rescue was a first even for veteran Stockton firefighters.
"He's dirty and embarrassed and it remains to be seen what his parents will do with him," Riviere said.
