Three-year-old hails kind roofer as 'Fireman Sam' after rescuing kitten stuck on roof for 12 hours

Lucy Hannah McClure, who is six-months-pregnant, and her partner Scott Williams were concerned when eight-month-old Belle didn't return to her Prestatyn home on the evening of Monday, February 8.

The couple went on a search, checking the neighbour's tree and daughter Penelope's tree house.

Eight-month-old Belle meows from the roof. Picture: Submitted

Lucy and Scott, 26, made a light-hearted joke that maybe she was on the roof and couldn't believe their eyes when they spied two little ears poking out and her reflective eyes.

Lucy, 23, said: "We have not long moved in to our home in Prestatyn. We haven't had any issues with Belle going out.

"She went out and then come 8pm, she still hadn't come back in.

"I could hear her meowing. We thought she must be stuck somewhere. It was pitch black by now.

Scott Williams tries to get to Belle. Picture: Submitted

"After looking round we had a joke, what if she was on the roof? And there she was.

"An hour passed. She had spooked herself and couldn't get back down. She is only eight-months-old so she was crying.

"I phoned the fire brigade and they said it would be at their discretion whether they would come out. They were quite quick to say no and said to go to the RSPCA but they had limited staff because of the pandemic."

Desperately worried, Lucy checked on Belle every hour.

Penelope is made up to be reunited with Belle. Picture: Submitted

"We felt we had exhausted every option," Lucy said.

"The RSPCA said they would try and get someone before 10pm. It was 9pm at this stage, but bless her... the woman was lovely, giving me all sorts of advice.

"They said it happens all the time which in way, reassured me.

"I was out every hour but suddenly Belle stopped meowing. She just stopped responding.

"I thought she had died! Or otherwise taken shelter, fallen asleep or even fallen unconscious.

"I couldn't sleep."

Roofer Darren Hinson came to Belle's aid after Lucy's mum Emma appealed on Facebook. Picture: Submitted

Lucy had also been in touch with her mum, Emma McClure, who tried to help her daughter by appealing on Facebook for help.

She posted on Prestatyn Connect about 10.30pm / 11pm and thankfully the message reached kind-hearted roofer Darren Hinson.

"At 6am, I heard meowing again," Emma said.

"It never crossed my mind to get in touch with a roofer.

"Holly, Darren's daughter, reached out to me on Facebook and said her dad Darren would come out to help. Literally within 20 minutes he was at our front door. Bless him. it was about 8.30am.

"He just dropped by. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done.

Little Belle stuck on the roof. Picture: Submitted

"The RSPCA said they would try and get an officer out but by 8am but we still hadn't heard anything.

"Darren wanted no money. Holly said he enjoyed myself.

"My daughter is three and bless her! She put her play mat out like a crash mat. And with Darren.. well she went to school thinking he was Fireman Sam.

"Darren is a hero, both in my eyes and hers."

Talking about how Belle may have got on the roof, Lucy said she had "no idea".

She added: "We have six-foot high fences surrounding the garden, but it’s a huge leap from the fence to the roof. Our neighbour has a single story extension, so I’m wondering if she climbed that and then got over to our roof? But I honestly do not know.

Belle happily with her family. Picture: Submitted

"Penelope is still talking about Darren ‘Fireman Sam’ days later.

"She has told all her friends in preschool."

Mum Emma said: "Belle had to stay out on the roof all night, my daughter was terribly upset.

"Thanks to social media, Darren Hinson, local roofer, and his team, came to the rescue. We really can’t thank them enough. It was so kind.

"Belle is a really clever kitten to be able to get on the roof."

Justin Evans, senior training and development Manager at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “For many years now North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been referring requests to assist small animals to the RSPCA rather than sending a fire engine. Our advice is to contact the RSPCA in the first instance.”

An RSPCA Cymru spokesperson said: "The RSPCA and firefighters come to the aid of countless animals stuck in precarious positions - and we always urge anyone concerned about an animal's welfare to contact our emergency line.

"However, we often advise members of the public to wait 24 hours before calling us as cats are often able to get down from trees, rooftops and other high places by themselves.

"We have limited resources on the frontline and particularly in instances where we need to call firefighters for assistance too, it's really important to prioritise calls of animals in urgent need, so emergency responders only attend where absolutely necessary.
 

Lucy, Scott, Penelope and Belle. Picture: Submitted

“Twenty-four hours gives a good indication that a cat, for example, is unable to get themselves down. We're really pleased to hear this cat is now safely down and is fine.

"Every situation is different - and people can always contact our dedicated line on 0300 1234 999. It's also really important people don't put themselves into danger in trying to reach animals and seek out appropriate advice.”