Chisels Needed To Pry Man From Chimney

A man who became stuck in the lower portion of an apartment house chimney for up to 18 hours was rescued, hospitalized in serious condition and charged with criminal trespass.

Emergency personnel had to use chisels to chip away the bottom of the chimney to free Cecil Beach Wednesday afternoon.

On Thursday, he remained in serious condition in the intensive care unit of Northern Montana Hospital.

Authorities said they didn’t know what possessed Beach to crawl to the roof of the Virginia Apartments and enter the chimney.