The Associated Press
[url]http://www.nando.net/weird/story/489243p-3903652c.html[/url]
FOREST FALLS, Calif. (August 5, 2002 12:42 p.m. EDT) - A mother bear and cub died in a fire they started after breaking into a home in a San Bernardino National Forest mountain community to look for food.

A 300-pound black bear and her cub entered the house through an open front window Sunday afternoon while the family was out grocery shopping, fire spokeswoman Tracey Martinez said.

The bears knocked down a living room lamp, sparking the fire, but continued to the kitchen in search of food, Martinez said.

The two were trapped inside the burning home and died. Firefighters discovered the carcasses when they doused the flames, Martinez said.

"It's my understanding that the bears have been kind of terrorizing the neighborhood and broke into several other houses," Martinez said.

About 400 black bears roam the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountain ranges, according to state Fish and Game wildlife biologist Kevin Brennan.

Forest Falls is about 90 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Unbearable!!!