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Eaton Fire evacuee finds bear in his crawlspace upon return home

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Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A California man returned to his Altadena home after the Eaton Fire and discovered a 525-pound bear had taken up residence in his crawlspace.

"The homeowner, along with neighbors in Altadena, had been evacuated due to the Eaton Fire," the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said on social media. "Once they returned, the utility company informed the resident that power couldn't be restored, as there was a bear under the home where the company needed to work."

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The homeowner, Samy Arbid, said the bear is well known to residents as a resident of the Eaton Canyon. Neighbors have variously nicknamed him Berry and Victor.

"I think during the fire he pretty much stayed in there," Arbid told KCAL-TV. "I think he was scared."

CDFW officials set a trap for the bear and made sure it was well-baited.

"So, they went to Stater Brothers and bought some rotisserie chicken and sardines and tomato sauce, apples, peanut butter -- all kinds of stuff," Arbid said. "They made a feast for him."

The bear was successfully lured out of its hiding place and trapped for relocation.

"The biologist actually said it was the biggest bear he's ever seen in person," Arbid said.

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Neighbors said they were happy to hear the bear was not harmed.

"He's pretty harmless," nearby resident Patty Smith said. "He just wants some good trash, like we all like some good trash."

The bear was fitted with a GPS collar and released into the Angeles National Forest.

Arbid's power was restored and his crawlspace has now been boarded up and bear-proofed.

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