Half a million bees killed in fire suspected as arson at Almere park
A fire in Beatrixpark in Almere has destroyed ten beehives and killed around half a million bees, in what police say was likely arson. The hives, owned by local beekeeper Harold Stringer, were completely burned Tuesday evening, leaving behind only charred remains, Omroep Flevoland reports.
Stringer, who has kept bees at the same location for nine years, was visibly shaken upon his return to the site. “The thought that someone would do this is terrible,” he told Omroep Flevoland. “I’ve always had positive contact with people here. I never had problems with anyone." Stringer estimates the loss at around 7,000 euros and no suspect has been identified.
The hives stood on wooden pallets behind a small fence, covered by a roof structure in a quiet, wooded section of Beatrixpark often used by joggers and walkers.
“This is no coincidence,” Stringer told Omroep Flevoland. “My ten colonies are gone. The bees I’ve worked on for years are gone forever.”
Police confirmed Wednesday that they suspect arson. Officers from the Almere West Poort police unit are investigating and have called on witnesses to come forward.
Although small fires have been set in Beatrixpark before, Stringer said those incidents typically involved playground equipment far from his hives. “This is the quiet part of the forest,” he said, standing amid the ashes. “Now it just smells of burnt wood. Asian hornets are already flying around, trying to steal honey and carry off a few bees.”
Stringer said he has never received complaints about his bees. “That can hardly be the reason,” he told the newspaper. “I’ve never had a single complaint, and my phone number is posted next to the hives.”
Friends have encouraged the beekeeper to start a crowdfunding campaign to rebuild his colonies, though he is unsure how to begin. “You don’t get colonies like that back easily,” he said. “It took years to build them up.”
