A late-night bear break-in turned into a dangerous house fire at a home in Mount Crested Butte, Colorado. Two residents were inside when the animal forced its way into the property, damaged several parts of the house, and accidentally started a fire in the kitchen.
The Crested Butte Fire Protection District said the incident happened on Aug. 19. The bear first pushed through a door and then broke through a glass pane near the entryway to enter the residence.
Once inside, the animal caused significant damage. Fire officials said it knocked over shelving, furniture, and window coverings in the entryway and living room before moving toward the kitchen.
The bear then tore apart the refrigerator, spread trash across the floor, and damaged a wooden dish-drying rack. The situation became more serious when the rack landed on an electric stovetop.
Kitchen Fire Fills Home With Smoke
According to the fire district, the electric stovetop was turned on at some point during the incident. The wooden rack caught fire, sending smoke through the home.
“The rack landed on the electric stovetop, which was turned on at some point during the incident. The rack caught fire, filling the home with smoke,” officials said.
The residents called 911 after the bear began scratching at their bedroom door. Police officers arrived and found the animal trying to break through a living room window.
Because of the bear’s aggressive behavior, the active fire, and limited access to the residence, officers euthanized the animal before putting out the kitchen fire.
Firefighters later arrived and confirmed that the fire was extinguished.
The residents told authorities that a bear had entered the home at least once before. Still, officials said this incident was unusual.
“CBFPD, the Crested Butte Marshals and the Mount Crested Butte Police Department have not previously responded to a call involving a bear starting a fire after entering a home,” the fire district said.
The incident combined a wildlife intrusion with a household fire, creating a serious emergency for the two residents. Quick calls to 911 and the response from local police and firefighters helped bring the situation under control.
