MOUNT AIRY, N.C. -- A man is facing charges, as well as lucky to be alive, after police say he got stuck in an air duct while trying to break into a Golden Corral.

• Cooks noticed the vents in the kitchen were not clearing out smoke like they should.
• Charlie Walker, 59, was found stuck in the duct work
• Walker faces breaking and entering charges

The incident happened Tuesday morning when cooks noticed the vents in the kitchen were not clearing out smoke like they normally would.

The manager went up on the roof to check the vents.

That's where he found 59-year-old Charlie Walker stuck in the duct work.

The Surry County Emergency Manager said Walker was exposed to grill and oven smoke to the point that another hour could have been fatal.

The fire department rescued Walker. Now, he faces breaking and entering charges.