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 animals perceive the smoke as a threat. 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.