Knock, knock! Who’s bear? California man returns to 525lb tenant in evacuated home

Samy Arbid's home was spared by the Altadena fire, but he returned to find it was occupied by a black bear

For those lucky enough to have homes to return to in Altadena, going home meant dealing with unfinished chores left behind when the Eaton fire forced them to evacuate. For some, that meant paying overdue bills or cleaning out freezers filled with rotting food, all in the midst of trauma and toxic surroundings.

For Samy Arbid, who had moved into a home just a block from the fire line in November, there was a different kind of obstacle: a 525lb black bear.