Several hours after seven-monthold Soprano climbed into the tree, the family, who live in Tervuren, became anxious and called the local fire brigade in Overijse, Paeps told De Standaard. “They told me she would come down by herself,” he reported. “My wife and children were beside themselves. When she was still up there on Monday I called the fire brigade in Zaventem.”

Zaventem confirmed that the fire service is indeed available for rescue operations, but since they have no jurisdiction in Tervuren, they referred Paeps back to Overijse. By this time Soprano’s mewing had kept neighbours awake, and they had also called Overijse fire brigade. An engine was sent, but the officer in charge decided they didn’t have the right kind of ladder and promptly left.

“Nonsense,” concluded the Zaventem brigade, who also came to investigate the scene. “Overijse are perfectly capable of doing the job.” And they left. Paeps called Overijse a third time and was turned down again. “By this time, I was fed up with the cat-and-mouse game and called mayor Eulaerts on Tuesday morning.” The Tervuren mayor pulled the necessary strings, and in no time Soprano was rescued, after 50 hours in the branches.

“I thought such absurdities were only possible in Eastern bloc countries,” Eulaerts said. “This sort of problem belongs to the normal package of services and ought to be sorted out within a reasonable time.”

The fire brigade in Overijse were unapologetic. “The operation seemed to us to be impossible because our ladders are unsuitable,” said station commander Dirk Decoster.