A police officer was called to a Kansas home to evict an unusual and furry trespasser -- a confused opossum trapped inside the Shawnee house's fireplace.

Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A police officer was called to a Kansas home to evict an unusual trespasser -- an opossum trapped inside the house's fireplace.

The Shawnee Police Department said on social media that an officer responded to a local home where a wild animal was found to be stuck in the fireplace.

The post included a photo of the officer carrying the soot-covered creature outside.

"The little one was safely released without any injuries from the adventure," the department said.

Animal experts warn opossums and other animals can mistake chimneys for hollow trees and attempt to build nests and burrows inside them.