Bear breaks into Colorado home, starts kitchen fire

Firefighters in Colorado were called to a home where a bear broke through a door, tore apart the inside of the house and started a fire in the kitchen.

The Crested Butte Fire Protection District said two people were inside the Mount Crested Butte home on the night of Aug. 19 when the bear forced its way through a door and broke through an entryway pane of glass to gain access to the residence.

“Once inside, it knocked over shelving, furniture, and window coverings in the entryway and living room before moving into the kitchen,” fire officials wrote in a news release.

The bear tore apart the refrigerator, scattered trash around the kitchen, and broke apart a wooden dish-drying rack.

“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,” the release said.

The home’s residents called 911 and reported the bear was scratching on their bedroom door.

Police arrived on scene and found the bear attempting to break through a living room window.

“Citing the bear’s aggressive behavior, the active fire, and limited access to the residence, officers euthanized the animal and then extinguished the kitchen fire,” officials wrote.

Firefighters arrived on the scene and confirmed the fire had been extinguished.

The residents said a bear had broken into the home at least once before.

“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,” officials wrote.

–

Original Article: https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/08/27/bear-kitchen-fire-Crested-Butte-Colorado/6621787848816/