By Canadian Press

Victoria firefighters use homeowners’ jackhammer to rescue cat trapped in tiny pipe

Jan 17, 2021 | 1:53 PM

VICTORIA — A Victoria firefighter says using a jackhammer and other home repair tools to save a cat stuck in a tiny basement drainpipe ranks as the strangest rescue call he’s been on in his 20-year career.

Capt. Tim Hanley says he and three other firefighters spent more than two hours using sledgehammers and a jackhammer to break through Victoria homeowner Emma Hutchinson’s concrete basement floor to free Willow, a nine-month-old kitten. 

Hanley says Hutchinson called firefighters earlier this week pleading for help after discovering her cat had somehow become stuck in a drainpipe with a 10-centimetre diameter in her basement.

Hanley says Hutchinson had numerous tools for firefighters to use, including a drain scope they used to see the trapped cat stuck more than a metre down the pipe.

He says firefighters also used Hutchinson’s jackhammer and several sledgehammers to break through the thick concrete basement floor before being able to cut the pipe and free Willow.

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

15h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

Hanley says Willow was crying and extremely dirty but was pronounced in good health after a visit to a veterinarian, much to Hutchinson’s relief. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2021.

The Canadian Press