By admin 
A black bear walked through the door of a home in western North Carolina and attacked one of the residents, witnesses say.
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It happened around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in north Asheville, and the victim was taken to a hospital, according to Fire Chief Justin Lucia of the Reems Creek Fire Department. The person’s injuries were not life-threatening, officials said.
“According to the initial report, a bear had entered a residence and reportedly made contact with an occupant before leaving. … It appeared that a bear may have opened the exterior door and entered the residence,” Lucia told The Charlotte Observer.
“The occupant reportedly encountered the bear as it exited the home, with the bear possibly swatting at the occupant on its way outside.”
An investigation by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission revealed the adult female bear was accompanied by three cubs, which “were seen playing on the front porch” of the home.
“The victim was injured while attempting to give the bear an escape route out of the home,” the commission said in a news release. “The injured person, who wishes to remain anonymous, was treated at a local hospital and released.”
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As a precaution, fire crews sounded their apparatus siren in an attempt to scare away any bears near the home. The bear involved in the incident was not seen by responding firefighters, officials said.
Reems Creek Fire Department is based in Weaverville, and provides fire coverage in the area of the attack “through a contract with the Asheville Fire Department,” Lucia said.
Black bears are native to North Carolina and are a common sight in western North Carolina. The predators are known to search for food in trash bins and have learned to open parked vehicles if they smell food inside, experts say.
“Fire officials remind residents in areas where bears are active to exercise caution and avoid approaching or attempting to interact with bears,” Lucia said.
“Residents should also secure potential food sources, garbage, pet food, and other attractants, and make sure doors and windows are properly secured.”
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Learn more about how to keep bears out at BearWise.org.
Asheville is about a 130-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.