Here's a heartwarming story, with a happy ending, from the end of May.

A couple arrived at their place in Club Patara late at night, to hear a strange sound coming from their barbecue chimney.

An inquisitive cat had fallen down the chimney, and was stuck in the bend of the flue.  What do you do?  Who do you call?

Initially, the duty manager and three security guards turned up, armed with a ladder, but the puss in peril could not be reached from below, or above.

The cat stopped making a noise, and with the possibility that it had found its own way out, the rescue team withdrew.  

Five minutes later, the noise resumed, and the owners spent a sleepless night, not knowing what to do until daylight.

First thing in the morning, they appealed to different members of staff who, hearing the cries from the chimney, took the situation more seriously.

Three more men arrived and, this time, managed to catch sight of the cat, in the beam of their torch. They once again racked their brains to think of a solution.

At this point, they turned to local animal lover, and cat expert, Sadık Oğretir, who decided to call the municipality fire brigade.

Now, the Kalkan firemen have never been asked to rescue a cat before, so they were somewhat non-plussed by the request.  They were not even sure it was appropriate use of the Belediye fire engine.  They checked with the Mayor, who authorised their deployment.

The fire engine duly arrived, and the hose was unreeled, shooting water first up the chimney from below, and then even more water from the roof, sufficient to convert the flue into a water slide.  Eventually, along with debris and soot, out came a tiny, soggy moggy.

The cat, now called “Baca” (Chimney) is presently recovering and is reported to be feline fine.

Below: The chimney in question, containing a cat, and a Belediye worker's arm.

 Below: Baca, the soggy moggy.

Below: Belediye rescuers, with Sadık Oğretir, and cat (centre).

Kalkan Turkish Local News - right up your sokak.