BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) - Firefighters in Bristol, Connecticut, had to perform a daring rescue when a man became trapped in the chimney of Mrs. Rockwell's Pavilion at Rockwell Park. The incident occurred while the man was attempting to retrieve his dog, which had accidentally been locked inside a bathroom due to new timers on the doors that automatically lock at 10 p.m.

On the morning of Sunday, after receiving a complaint regarding a potential burglary, police arrived at the park where they were informed by the park employees about the individual stuck in the chimney. Firefighters quickly responded and were forced to remove parts of the chimney and the pavilion structure in order to extricate the man. The damages caused in this rescue operation were estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.

Fortunately, the Bristol man was unharmed during the ordeal but faced legal consequences following his actions. He was arrested and charged with burglary, trespassing, and criminal mischief. Subsequently, he was released on bond and is expected to appear in court on July 7. Attempts to reach the individual through public records and online court directories were unsuccessful, as the contact numbers were out of service and no legal representation was listed for him.

The situation unfolded as the man became trapped near the flue of the chimney. Erica Benoit, the community engagement coordinator for Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services, explained that the automated locks on the bathrooms had recently been implemented to enhance security. The specifics surrounding how the dog ended up in the bathroom or the duration that the man spent in the chimney remained unclear. It was noted that the doors can be opened from the inside even after being locked for the night.

Benoit described the incident as “a bit of a crazy scenario” and highlighted the importance of collaboration among the park staff, police department, and fire department to prevent such incidents in the future. She emphasized that if the man had contacted the police initially, the situation could have potentially been avoided altogether.

This bizarre series of events serves as a reminder of the unique challenges that can arise when securing public spaces, as well as the importance of proper communication during emergencies. The park personnel are now actively assessing their protocols to ensure the safety of both visitors and pets in the future.