Old houses are often brimming with period features, and sometimes, modernising these properties can reveal a wealth of secrets about their former inhabitants. From letters hidden under floorboards to old tins tucked away in attics, you wouldn’t know any of it existed unless you embarked on a renovation project.
A man recently got the surprise of his life while removing an old fireplace from a house he was refurbishing. He discovered something behind the wall that certainly shouldn’t have been there. Liam Grover, who describes himself as a property entrepreneur, shared a video of the unexpected find on Instagram during the renovation of his latest property.
In the footage, Liam is seen struggling to remove the metal covering and grate that had been placed over the fireplace. After some effort, he manages to slide a small knife under the metal, causing the grate to fall away and the plate to follow shortly after.
With the cover removed, the inside of the fireplace is revealed, but it contains something entirely unexpected.
Rather than uncovering old letters or hidden treasures from previous homeowners, Liam discovered something far more startling – a pigeon. The bird casually strolled out of the fireplace and into the property, leaving Liam utterly astounded.
The property developer cradled the pigeon and carried it out of his front door. He then gently placed it on his car roof, allowing it to fly away unharmed.
He captioned the video: “Always important to know who to call in every scenario … still not sure who I could have called for this one.”
Viewers of the video were equally stunned by the sight of the pigeon in the fireplace. Many wondered how long it had been trapped there, while others simply expressed their gratitude to Liam for setting it free.
One individual commented: “A wood pigeon! Thank you for helping that little sweetheart! I love pigeons.”
Another remarked: “Neighbours were probably very confused watching you walking out of your house with a pigeon.”
A third posted: “Thank you for not throwing the bird. I hate when people do that! Let the poor bird recover and fly when they’re ready.”
What to do if there’s a pigeon in your chimney
It’s not unusual for birds to get stuck in tricky spots, such as a chimney, behind a bricked-up fireplace, or even in a cavity wall. The RSPCA advises that if you discover an adult bird trapped in your chimney, you can remove it and release it during the day – as long as it isn’t injured.
They advise: “Birds that have come down a chimney will navigate to the nearest, brightest light source. For this reason, it’s advisable to provide only one exit point to avoid confusing the bird by closing all but one window or external door, turning the lights off and drawing curtains over all the other closed windows.
“If you discover a bird trapped in a chimney, you can help by opening all the windows and any external doors in the room. Pull any curtains all the way back and then leave the room and monitor the situation for two hours.”
Do not remove the bird if they:
- Appear dazed (which is quite likely)
- Have been trapped in the chimney for a number of hours
- Appear to be injured (for example, they have a damaged wing or soot in their eyes)
- Seem to be young (a partly feathered nestling or fledgling that is found in the spring or summer)
For further advice, you can report a concern on the RSPCA website or by calling 0300 1234 999.
