Bees escape from truck, swarm North Las Vegas neighborhood

By Brian Nordli

Published Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 | 2:33 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 | 4:27 p.m.

A swarm of bees escaped from an 18-wheel truck and blanketed a North Las Vegas neighborhood, prompting officials to lock down an elementary school and warn residents to stay inside.

There were no reports of injuries.

The North Las Vegas Fire Department responded to reports of the bees escaping from the truck about 12:40 p.m. at Orr Avenue and Kenneth Road, near Carey Avenue. Firefighters found the neighborhood blanketed with honeybees, Capt. Cedric Williams said. He did not know how the bees got out of the truck.

Following instructions from police, Fay Herron Elementary School officials kept students indoors after classes ended at 3:06 p.m. until their parents showed up to pick them up.

“We don’t want to release kids if they could potentially be stung by a bee,” Clark County School District spokeswoman Melinda Malone said. “Hopefully it will all clear up soon.”

Streets in neighborhood were closed and residents were encouraged to stay indoors. Williams could not confirm any injuries as of 2 p.m.

Firefighters were spraying foam on the bees to scatter them, but there have been additional reports of the bees in other neighborhoods, Williams said. A bee keeper has been called to assist with the situation, but Williams expects it to last for a couple more hours. The goal is to save as many bees as possible, Williams said.

Firefighters were spraying foam on the bees to scatter them, but there have been additional reports of the bees in other neighborhoods, Williams said.

A beekeeper was called to assist, but Williams said he expects the situation to last for a couple more hours. The goal is to save as many bees as possible, Williams said.

“Right now our guys are foaming them as best as they can,” Williams said. “We’re trying to spread them out.”

Sun reporter Ana Ley contributed to this story.