Frightened Kitten Removed From Car Engine by Firefighters

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

At around 1:30 pm today a motorist requested the assistance of the Fire/EMS Department. Career and volunteer firefighters from the Beltsville Fire/EMS Station 831 proceeded to Baltimore Avenue and Ewing Road in the parking lot of a commercial establishment to assist a motorist that feared an animal was trapped in his engine. 

The vehicle operator believed a cat was trapped in his vehicles engine as he repeatedly heard a cats "meow" as he drove down Route 1.  He pulled over into a parking lot and called several people and companies but no one could provide any assistance.  Rather then continuing to drive he called the fire department as a last resort.

Firefighters arrived and also heard the cry of a cat.  Firefighters searched in the engine compartment and under the car but could not see the cat.  They eventually coaxed the cat out by banging on engine parts until the cat appeared from it's hiding spot.  The cat turned out to be a 3-week old kitten. The firefighters were on the scene for about 45 minutes trying to free the kitten, however, remaining in-service for any emergency calls.  It is not unusual for cats to seek refuge and warmth in a parked cars engine.

The kitten appeared to be in good shape and taken back to the firehouse for the remainder of one of the firefighters shift. The kitten was been named "Colombo" to reflect the day it was found - Columbus Day. The firefighter will bring the kitten home with him at the end of his shift in the morning.

All photos were provided by courtesy of James Davis, free lance photographer, www.pgfdfire.com

Fire Fighter Tom Robinson and 3-week old "Columbo"

Firefighters searched in the engine compartment and under the car but could not see the cat.  They eventually coaxed the cat out by banging on engine parts until the cat appeared from it's hiding spot.