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A Kentucky homeowner got the shock of a lifetime last week when a black bear crashed through the ceiling of their southeastern residence, landing directly on the kitchen stove. According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, the bizarre incident unfolded around 5 a.m. last Wednesday in Bell County. Wildlife officers and a local sheriff’s deputy responded to the scene. There, they discovered the large animal perched on top of the stove in the middle of the kitchen.
Photos released by officials show the furry intruder looking surprisingly composed atop the appliance, surrounded by kitchen cabinets and debris from the ceiling. Another image captured a gaping square hole in the ceiling, clear evidence of the bear’s dramatic entrance.
“After taking a look around, it was determined that the bear had climbed up a ladder outside and squeezed through an opening in the attic,” the department explained in a Facebook post. “The bear then fell through the ceiling into the residence below.”
Fortunately, wildlife officials were able to guide the bear out of the home safely through an open door. They did not share the bear’s size or confirm whether it sustained any injuries during the fall.
Social Media Reacts After Black Bear Crashes Through Ceiling
Social media had a field day with the story, with one Facebook user commenting, “Must’ve been looking for his pic-a-nic basket.” Another wrote, “Smokey the Bear was just popping in to let you know that ‘only you can prevent forest fires.'” A third joked, “He’s probably trying to reach them about their car’s extended warranty.”
Other comments poured in, with one individual asking, “Can you imagine walking into your kitchen half asleep to make a pot of coffee and there being a bear on your stove?” As another quipped, “If someone hadn’t seen the bear, it would just have gone down as another unsolved burglary.”
The local ABC affiliate spoke with the homeowners’ daughter, who revealed just how dangerous the situation nearly became. “It almost fell on my mom when it came through the ceiling,” she told the outlet. “They tried to open the kitchen door, but the bear would come at them when they did so.”
According to her, the family was trapped inside the home with the bear for nearly two hours. Her uncle was eventually able to open the door and guide the animal out. “The reason it stayed so long was because everyone was waiting on a guy with a tranquilizer,” she added. “But it left before he arrived. Everyone is okay, just shook up.”
Bear Sightings on the Rise in Kentucky
Black bears are making a comeback in Kentucky, especially in the state’s eastern regions, following years of population decline. Bears are generally shy and tend to avoid human contact. However, officials note they often wander into residential areas when food sources. This can include trash, pet food, or bird feeders. Their strong sense of smell draws them in, especially when those attractants are left accessible.
“Bears have an incredible sense of smell and are likely being lured by some type of food attractant,” the department notes on its website. “The best thing to do is identify the attractant and remove the source. Bears will move on after realizing there is no food to be obtained.”
Though rare, bear sightings in parts of Kentucky have become more common in recent years. They serve as a reminder for residents to secure any food sources before another unexpected visitor drops in.
