South Pasadena : Transient Set Beehive Fire

Arson investigators concluded that a transient trying to get honey set a blaze last month that destroyed beehives in the Arroyo Seco owned by a South Pasadena resident known as the “Bee Man.”

“It’s horrible,” said apiary owner Paul Bloomquist who, for seven years, has been removing unwanted bees at no charge and giving them new homes on a secluded city-owned lot. Twelve of 32 hives were destroyed, he said.

South Pasadena arson investigator Robert Jones said the transient, undeterred by fences on the property, was probably trying to smoke the bees out to get the honeycomb on April 17, and the plan went awry.

“We found a jacket and shirt down the wash. There were obvious signs the individual had been stung . . . and fled pulling his clothes off as he ran,” Jones said.

The case remains open but inactive because there are no suspects and physical evidence is minimal, he said. Arson investigators are now patrolling frequently to ensure that no fires occur in the area, which is often frequented by transients.

Bloomquist, who owns a custom picture-frame shop, said his hives have been frequent targets of vandals. Not discouraged by the fire, he has begun replacing the hives at a cost of $90 each.

Last year, the city threatened to evict Bloomquist unless he got a $1-million insurance policy and put up fences around the hives. He agreed to the terms and now pays $1 a year in rent and provides free bee swarm removal for the city.