PHOTOS: Firefighters rescue man stuck in chimney

Here’s a lesson to anyone who’s locked out of a house – don’t use the chimney to get back inside. A 26-year-old man from Tucson, Arizona learned that lesson the hard way after getting stuck in his chimney for four hours.

The man had locked his keys in his house and figured the best way to retrieve them would be to enter down the chimney.

The man started yelling for help and thankfully a neighbour heard his cries and called the fire department. When they arrived, the man was lodged in his fireplace with his feet touching the ground. Rescue workers lowered a rope in order to pull him out.

In a series of photos posted to the Tuscan Fire Department’s Facebook page, three firefighters pull the soot-covered man from the chimney. The man’s shirt is scrunched up and falling off his shoulder, and his face and hair are completely covered in ash. In one shot, he hugs one of his rescuers.

The neighbour who called firefighters left a note of gratitude on the post.

“Glad he was only stuck for 4 hours and lesson learned,” wrote Michele Gray. “A big shout out to our intrepid TFD firemen that showed up on the scene in under 2 minutes and were professional and compassionate in their rescue. One grateful college kid and the community thank you for your service.”