The Brief
- A beehive had been growing since the summer at a home off of Riverview Blvd.
- The homeowner, Oliver Howells, asked first responders if they’d like to participate as part of training.
- The hive, which contained 50,000 to 70,000 bees, will be given a new home along with its queen.
BRADENTON, Fla. – Buzzing above a Bradenton neighborhood, a beehive caused concern for the homeowner and his neighbors. As a bee expert and his team went to work to remove the hive, they had the support and help of a number of fire agencies from across Manatee County.
A beehive, 24 feet off the ground in a tree at a home off of Riverview Blvd. became a training ground for Manatee County First Responders.
“We would rather participate in the front end here, being pro-active, removing the risk from the community, as opposed to responding next week, next month, when these bees have attacked someone,” said Chief Rodney Kwiatkowski, the Fire Marshal for West Manatee Fire Rescue District.
Donning bee suits, North River Fire Rescue, Southern Manatee Fire Rescue and West Manatee Fire Rescue got into place. …