An alert elderly resident became aware of a burning smell and the fire brigade was called.

"We spoke to the lady's daughter and became aware there was a tiny hole in the wall where the possum had entered through gyprock," said Orange Fire Station's acting station officer Shane Brinkworth.

"The possum had chewed through electrical wiring, and we could see it.

"The boys cut a bit of a hole in the gyprock to remove the possum.

"The electricity was turned off, and we removed a deceased possum, put it in a bag, took it out of the house and handed it over to the lady to sort out.

"I think she was going to bury it."

Officer Brinkworth said "there could have been a big old fire, the lady who owned the house was pretty switched on".

Before departing, the Fire Brigade ensured the occupants had organised for an electrician to attend the property.

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