Snake stuck in laundry basket leads to unusual rescue call at Coral Springs Fire Station 80 where firefighters carefully free pet without injury
Coral Springs, Florida – What started as an ordinary day quickly turned into an unusual rescue call for firefighters in Coral Springs after a pet snake became trapped inside a plastic laundry basket, leading its owner to seek help at a local fire station.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday when a resident arrived at Coral Springs Fire Station 80, located at 2825 Coral Springs Drive, carrying the unusual problem in her hands. Her pet snake had become tightly wedged in the holes of a standard plastic laundry basket, leaving her unable to safely remove it on her own.
Concerned about injuring the animal, firefighters carefully assessed the situation before beginning a slow and controlled rescue effort. Using tools and steady hands, crews worked to gently cut and pull away sections of the plastic basket, gradually freeing the snake without causing harm.
The process required patience and precision, as responders focused on ensuring the animal’s safety while also preventing further entrapment. After several careful steps, the snake was successfully removed and later returned safely to its owner.
The Coral Springs Fire Department later shared a lighthearted description of the unusual call on social media, referencing a popular fictional universe in a playful tone.
“The sorting hat at Hogwarts definitely sent this Slytherin to the wrong part of the house. Don’t worry, we got him out of the laundry basket safely, no magic needed.”
While the situation may sound unusual, fire officials say calls like this are not as rare as people might think. According to Richard Antonini, captain and spokesperson for the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department, firefighters are often called to assist with a wide variety of situations that go far beyond fires and medical emergencies.
“The purpose of the fire department isn’t just to battle fires – it’s to help people in situations where they don’t know who else to call,” said Antonini. “Sometimes that means thinking outside the box to safely resolve unusual situations like this.”
Fire crews explained that whether it is a rescue involving a pet, a person in distress, or a situation that requires careful problem-solving, their role often extends into unexpected areas of community assistance.
In this case, the outcome was positive for both the pet and its owner. The snake was safely freed without any visible injury, and no additional emergency response was needed after the rescue was completed.
Residents nearby expressed curiosity about the unusual sight, though officials emphasized that the situation was handled calmly and efficiently by trained personnel.
While firefighters regularly prepare for high-risk emergencies, they say moments like this highlight another side of the job — one that involves patience, adaptability, and a willingness to respond to anything that comes through the station doors.
For the Coral Springs Fire Department, the laundry basket snake rescue may not have been a typical call, but it ended with a safe outcome and a reminder that emergency services often deal with problems that can appear in the most unexpected forms.
