Q: How many firemen does it take to revive a choking pigeon? A: Too many
WHILE some might praise their compassion for stricken creatures, others may think these firemen should have better things to do.
For after they had ensured everyone was safe following an arson attack on a disused bus depot, they turned their attention to other victims of the blaze – several pigeons that were unconscious as a result of inhaling smoke.
The firemen used a tube to administer oxygen and fed the birds drops of water. Sim Wright, a marine biologist who works next door to the depot in Colchester, photographed three of the rescue team as they worked to save the pigeons – seen by many as urban pests rather than assets.
Mr Wright, 49, said: ‘We heard what sounded like explosions coming from the depot. I could see the fire brigade were looking for people in the building and when they were sure no one was trapped, they turned their attention to the birds.
‘They were carrying the birds out by hand. They got them on to the ground and they started feeding them water out of a cap to revive them.
‘Then they used a tube to feed them oxygen which really seem to do the trick. I was really taken with the care they were displaying. Obviously, their first priority is for humans but once they had ascertained there was no one in there, it was really great to see how quickly they turned their attention to the birds. I just thought they should be commended for it.’
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said of Friday’s incident: ‘This is a great example of the compassion our firefighters show on a daily basis across our county.
‘Our priority will always be protecting human life from risk but in this particular case firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and make the area safe with such efficiency that they were able to go above and beyond in offering care to pigeons who had been affected by the smoke.’