North Carolina firefighters called to remove 12-foot alligator from road

By Cliff Pinckard
cleveland.com

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. — This wasn’t just any old cat-down-from-a-tree situation.

Firefighters with Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Rescue got an unusual assignment early Saturday morning when the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office called to report a large alligator blocking the road. In a news release, the fire department says the alligator, described as a “dinosaur” and a “dragon,” was lunging at passing cars.

“This exceptionally large individual was estimated to be around 12 feet long, and we were not brave enough to attempt to weigh it,” the press release reads.

The department says firefighters first tried to “walk the gentleman across the street” but were unsuccessful. Then they turned to “what we know best”…they pulled out a fire hose.

“After a gentle rain to encourage a retreat, the alligator finally decided it was done with civilization for now and finally returned to its more natural habitat,” the press release reads. “Just when you think you’ve seen it all.”