Barricaded and frightened: Bear wrecks home in British Columbia

A mother, her daughter, and her daughter's friend were terrified when they heard loud noises coming from another room. When they realized a bear was demolishing their home, they barricaded themselves in the bedroom and called 911. Photos have surfaced online showing the state of their home after the wild intruder visited.

The incident occurred in Rossland, British Columbia home, about 385 kilometres east of Vancouver.

The homeowner was putting her nine-year-old daughter and her friend to bed when she heard the noise. She quickly realized that the source was a bear that had entered the house.

Like many Canadians often do, the woman had not locked the door. The bear took advantage of the situation and entered the house for food. The animal, however, could not find its way out and, in distress, began demolishing everything in its path.

The wild animal wrecked several rooms, breaking furniture, tearing up carpets, and throwing food out of the refrigerator. The terrified mother, her daughter, and her friend barricaded themselves in the bedroom and called 911. When the police arrived, they opened the front door, and the bear fled.

Photos showing the state of the house after the unwelcome guest's visit have been posted on social media.

British Columbia is known as the land of bears. The British Columbia Ministry of Environment has warned for 30 years that it doesn't matter where you live or spend your free time; even in urban areas, you will be close to bears and their places.

Every year, the media publishes stories from residents whose trash cans have been destroyed by bears or whose tents have been broken into. The British Columbia authorities remind us that these animals need a lot of food, and once they realize that trash cans and pantries mean food, they remember it for a long time.