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Maine Firefighter Saves Snake

Aug. 24, 2004

A six-foot boa constrictor was saved from certain death when a firefighter and an animal control officer rescued it from a wooden box that had caught on fire in Maine.

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) -- A six-foot boa constrictor was saved from certain death when a firefighter and an animal control officer rescued it from a wooden box that had caught on fire in Maine.

The snake was locked inside its box at a Lewiston home yesterday when a lamp tumbled down on top of it, causing the wood to smolder and give off smoke.

A woman who lives in the house called firefighters because she was afraid to touch the snake. Firefighters used an ax to smash open the lock and animal control officer Wendell Strout dropped the snake into a pillowcase.

The snake, which was unharmed, was taken to an animal shelter where its owner could retrieve it.