California Firefighters & Police Attacked By 40,000 Africanized Bees
While responding to a report of a single bee sting, firefighters and police in Pasadena, CA were soon attacked by nearly 40,000 Africanized bees (aka killer bees) on arrival.
Of seven people stung, three first responders were heavily attacked, including the first firefighter on scene, who was stung 17 times, forcing officials to shut down the block.
Pasadena Fire Department Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian says, “I’ve been with the fire department 18 years now and responded to several bee incidents. But never to this magnitude. The bees were very aggressive. Somebody could have had an allergic reaction and it could have been serious and or fatal.”
RELATED: Truck Crashes And Releases 40,000 Pounds Of Live Honey Bees
Eventually, firefighters and a professional beekeeper used a ladder to remove the hive, sitting on the roof of a four-story Hampton Inn. Before leaving the area, they sprayed the area and bees with carbon dioxide and foam extinguishers.
Furthermore, Africanized bees, also known as killer bees, who kill humans, horses and other animals, were first introduced in 1956 in Brazil.
The hybrid was created in attempt to increase honey production; however 26 swarms escaped quarantine, and spread to North and South America.
RELATED: Doctors Find Tiny Bees Living In Woman’s Eye, Feeding Off Tears