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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
you hear or find an animal trapped in a chimney, vent, wall, or ceiling

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stop using any fireplace, appliance, fan or vent connected to the space, keep people and pets away, and arrange safe help to locate and release the animal. Leave the property and call 999 for a fire, smoke or immediate danger to life; for a suspected gas or carbon monoxide emergency, leave and call 0800 111 999 in England, Scotland or Wales, or 0800 002 001 in Northern Ireland.

Do not do these things

  • Do not light a fire or use an appliance connected to the affected chimney or vent.
  • Do not run an extractor or other fan through the affected space.
  • Do not pour water, smoke, chemicals, poison or food into the opening.
  • Do not seal an entry point while a live animal may still be inside.
  • Do not remove or dismantle a gas fire, boiler, flue or gas fitting yourself.
  • Do not cut blindly into a wall or ceiling.
  • Do not climb onto a roof or enter a confined space to reach the animal.
  • Do not put a hand into an opening when you cannot identify or see the animal.
  • Do not disturb a possible bat roost or a bird nest that is in use or being built without specialist advice.

What to do now

  1. Stop using anything connected to the affected chimney, flue, vent or void. Switch off an extractor or fan if you can do so normally and safely, but do not dismantle fixed equipment.
  2. Move children and pets away from the area. Keep the room calm and reduce noise without blocking ventilation or a visible route the animal could use to leave.
  3. From a safe position, note where the sound is strongest and whether you can see feathers, fur, droppings, nesting material or an entry point. A brief recording of the sound may help a professional assess the situation.
  4. If there is a carbon monoxide alarm, a smell of gas, smoke, unusual fumes, illness or another immediate safety concern, leave the property. Call 999 for fire or urgent medical danger. For a suspected gas or carbon monoxide emergency, call 0800 111 999 in England, Scotland or Wales, or 0800 002 001 in Northern Ireland.
  5. For an inaccessible animal, contact a suitable wildlife rescue organisation or animal welfare charity for advice. They may ask you to arrange safe access through a chimney sweep, roofer, builder or pest-management professional.
  6. If access involves a gas fire, boiler, flue or other gas fitting, use a Gas Safe registered engineer qualified for the relevant work.
  7. If the animal may be a bat, pause any opening, blocking, pest-control or building work and contact the Bat Conservation Trust’s National Bat Helpline. Bats and the places they use for shelter or protection are legally protected.
  8. If you can see a bird nest with eggs or young, or a nest that appears to be in use or being built, tell anyone attending before work starts. Legal restrictions may apply, so seek wildlife advice before disturbing it.
  9. If you rent the property, report the problem promptly to your landlord, managing agent or emergency repairs service. State that a live animal may be trapped and identify any appliance you have stopped using.

What can wait

You do not need to identify the exact species, choose a permanent chimney guard, decide who will pay or seal every possible entry point now. Cleaning, repairs and prevention work can wait until someone competent has confirmed that no live animal, occupied bat roost or protected bird nest will be trapped or disturbed.

Important reassurance

Scratching, flapping or calling inside a building can be alarming, but you do not need to open the structure yourself. Stopping connected appliances and arranging suitable advice reduces the risk to the animal, the building and the people inside.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps only. Safe access, animal handling, gas work, structural repairs, legal restrictions and future proofing may require an animal welfare organisation, wildlife specialist, qualified tradesperson or landlord.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, veterinary, gas-safety, building, pest-control or other professional advice. Follow instructions from emergency services and appropriately qualified professionals who can assess the property and animal directly.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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