Man gets wedged in chimney while trying to break into house, Arizona officials say

A man got stuck in a chimney while trying to break into an Arizona home, officials told news outlets.

The 47-year-old man was found “stuck in the throat of the chimney” when Phoenix firefighters arrived July 28 at the house, according to 12 News.

The family who lives in the house told 911 operators they knew the man, according to Arizona Family.

He wasn’t supposed to be at the home because he is under a court order, officials told ABC 15.

Officials performed a technical rescue using a rope system to break the wall of the chimney to free the man, according to ABC 15.

Officials told FOX 10 the man was nearly two-thirds of the way down the chimney before he was rescued.

Firefighters gave the man water, and he was able to speak to them during the entire mission, according to 12 News.

“Chimney flues are relatively small and not capable of having a human go in and out of them,” Phoenix Fire Cpt. Kimberly Ragsdale told 12 News.

He was sent to a local hospital and is facing one count of criminal trespassing and an Order of Protection violation, Arizona Family reported.

This story was originally published July 28, 2023 at 1:18 PM with the headline "Man gets wedged in chimney while trying to break into house, Arizona officials say."