Actually, the beekeeper only wanted to work undisturbed on the bee colony. And suddenly the forest was on fire. 55 firefighters were on duty.
Gleisweiler – A beekeeper in Rhineland-Palatinate set fire to around 400 square meters of forest, probably due to improper smoking of a beehive. The 42-year-old inhaled smoke on Friday afternoon, the police said. He received medical treatment at the scene and was then taken to a hospital.
The beekeeper is now under investigation for negligent arson. 55 firefighters with eleven vehicles fought the flames in Gleisweiler. The fire reportedly started near a private clinic.
Smoke in the beehive enables the beekeeper to work calmly on the bee colony, because the smoke is perceived as a threat by the animals. It causes the bees to prepare to escape from the hive. They fill their honey stomachs and are so distracted that the beekeeper can work undisturbed. dpa
