Lebak, Banten. Panic gripped a quiet village in Lebak, Banten, on Saturday night when a 2.5-meter cobra suddenly emerged from the ceiling of a family home.

The venomous snake appeared in the house of resident Faisal Fahmi, forcing his family to flee in fear of its potentially deadly bite.

“My family ran for safety, worried about being attacked. I immediately called the fire department, and luckily they arrived quickly. Otherwise, it could have been dangerous, especially since there are many children around,” Faisal said on Sunday.

Firefighters arrived at around 9 pm armed with special equipment to capture the snake. They were met with a tense scene: the cobra had raised its hood high in a defensive posture, ready to strike at anyone who came close.

“This snake is very dangerous -- its bite can be fatal. We had to move quickly but with great caution,” said firefighter Saepudin, who led the operation.

The rescue unfolded dramatically as the cobra repeatedly lashed out at the team. Villagers watching from a safe distance held their breath as the firefighters carefully maneuvered. After more than an hour, the team successfully distracted the snake and secured its head with a snake-handling pole, eventually capturing it alive.

The cobra was placed in a secure sack and will be released into a natural habitat far from residential areas, Saepudin confirmed.

He also issued a warning to residents: “People should remain alert, especially during the rainy season, when wild animals often appear in search of dry shelter and food.”