This is the shocking moment a family discovered five kittens hiding inside their ceiling.

Niknur and her relatives heard scratching sounds coming from their attic space, prompting them to call an animal rescue team, fearing it might be a monitor lizard.

Footage shows the Jabatan Pertahanan Awam (JPAM) crew investigating the ceiling structure before uncovering a litter of adorable newborn kittens in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

One rescuer carefully removed the kittens one by one, dropping them gently to the ground where another official caught them on June 21.

The two orange kittens and three tabbies were placed temporarily in a cardboard box and later reunited with their mother for care.

The family recalled that their cat had secretly given birth inside the ceiling.

Niknur said: 'What started as a scary situation turned into one of the sweetest rescues we've ever seen. Truly thankful to the JPAM team, real-life heroes who protect not just people, but innocent little lives too.'