Fire crews rescue Gus the cat from rooftop ordeal

A three-day ordeal for a cat stranded on the roof of a house has come to an end after firefighters rescued him from his precarious perch.

Gus, a black-and-white moggy from Maldon, was stuck on top of a chimney and could not be coaxed down by his owners, neighbours or with the promise of his favourite treats.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called at about 20:00 BST on Wednesday to help get him down safely.

"We are trained to carry out rescues at height," said a spokesperson from Maldon Fire Station.

"[We] would always encourage members of the public not to put themselves at risk by attempting difficult rescues themselves."

Gus was reunited with his relieved owners and was said to be recovering well.

When news of his rescue was shared in a social media post, there was some questioning of why firefighters were needed.

In response, the fire service said the use of resources to help animals was considered on a "case-by-case basis".

"This includes whether pet owners are likely to endanger themselves or others in attempting their own rescue, in which case we may intervene as part of our remit to protect saveable life and property."

• Stay calm and assess the situation – avoid panic or rushing into unsafe actions

• Do not put yourself at risk – climbing ladders, roofs or trees without proper training can lead to serious injury

• Try gentle encouragement – use familiar voices, food or toys if it is safe to do so

• Contact the RSPCA first – they can offer immediate advice and decide whether further help is needed

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