Ken Steinhardt – Orange County Register

Pregnant woman among 3 injured in Fullerton multi-vehicle crash

Scott Schwebke, Ken Steinhardt — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 20:51:10 +0000

FULLERTON – Three people were injured, including a pregnant woman, in a multivehicle crash prompted by a driver avoiding an animal in the road on Thursday, Jan. 4, police said.

Around 9:20 a.m., a woman driving a Chevrolet Tahoe west in the 2200 block of West Walnut Avenue swerved to miss the animal, Sgt. Jon Radus said.

A firefighter looks inside a silver minivan after responding to a serious crash on E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning. A pregnant woman and her man were abruptly woken up and injured when their Honda Odyssey was struck by the driver of an SUV that crashed into a row of parked cars. The driver of the SUV and the couple were taken to a nearby emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
After crashing into a row of parked cars, the driver of an SUV is treated near a row of parked RVs on E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning. A pregnant woman and her man were abruptly woken up and injured when their Honda Odyssey was struck by the SUV. The driver of the SUV and the couple were taken to a nearby emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The front passenger wheel lays severed from the SUV was driving after the driver crashed into a row of parked cars in E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning. A pregnant woman and her man were injured while sleeping when their Honda Odyssey was struck by the driver of the SUV. The couple and the driver of the SUV were taken to a nearby emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A pregnant woman and her man, right, are treated by paramedics for their injuries on E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning, after their Honda Odyssey was struck by the driver of an SUV while they were sleeping. The driver of the SUV, left, and the couple were taken to a nearby emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
After crashing into a row of parked cars, the driver of an SUV is treated on E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning. While sleeping, a pregnant woman and her man were injured when their Honda Odyssey was struck by the SUV. The driver of the SUV and the couple were taken to a nearby emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Officers look at the damage to three cars on E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning. A pregnant woman and her man were abruptly woken up and injured when their Honda Odyssey was struck by the driver of an SUV that crashed into a row of parked cars. The driver of the SUV and the couple were taken to a nearby emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Employees of a nearby business survey the damage as they watch paramedics treat the injured of a crash on E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning. A pregnant woman and her man were abruptly woken up and injured when their Honda Odyssey was struck by the driver of an SUV that crashed into a row of parked cars. The driver of the SUV and the couple were taken to a county emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A pregnant woman is taken to an ambulance after she and her man were abruptly woken up and injured when their Honda Odyssey was struck by the driver of an SUV that crashed into a row of parked cars in E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning. The driver of the SUV and the couple were taken to a nearby emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A man is taken to an awaiting ambulance by medics after a crash on E. Walnut Ave. in Fullerton on Thursday morning. The man and his pregnant woman were abruptly woken up and injured when their Honda Odyssey was struck by the driver of an SUV that crashed into a row of parked cars. The driver of the SUV and the couple were taken to a nearby emergency room. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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She lost control and hit a parked, unoccupied Nissan Frontier, authorities said.

The Tahoe rolled and struck a parked Honda Odyssey, occupied by a woman who is seven months pregnant and a man, he said. The impact pushed the Odyssey into a parked, unoccupied Honda Accord.

The three people were transported by ambulance to area hospitals for treatment of what appeared to be minor injuries, Radus said.

The crash is under investigation.

1 killed, 1 injured when truck hits pedestrian in Fountain Valley

Alma Fausto, Ken Steinhardt — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 16:11:38 +0000

An officer signs paperwork for an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy coroner after one person was fatally injured in a crash shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday near Euclid Street and Warner Avenue in Fountain Valley, one person was also taken to a hospital. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Police crime-scene tape is placed on a hydrant where one person was fatally injured in a crash in Fountain Valley. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An officer picks up medical waste where one person died in a crash in Fountain Valley early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An officer removes crime-scent tape as an investigation wraps up where one person died in a crash early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY – A male pedestrian died on Warner Avenue after being hit by a truck shortly after 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

The accident occurred near Euclid Street, when he was hit by a 1988 Mitsubishi, Fountain Valley police Sgt. Mike Parsons said in a statement. The truck’s driver truck stayed at the scene and was taken to a hospital for for minor injuries.

Parsons said investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol on the part of the driver played a role in the crash.

Any witnesses were asked to call the Police Department’s Traffic Bureau at 714-593-4654.

1 person rescued, but dog dies in Huntington Beach fire

Ken Steinhardt, Alma Fausto — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 19:33:20 +0000

A dog died and one person had to be rescued from inside a burning home in Huntington Beach Thursday morning, Dec. 14.

The fire was contained to one unit at Huntington Gardens apartment homes on Heil Avenue. Firefighters found heavy fire and smoke coming through the front door of the unit, said Huntington Beach firefighter Capt. Eric McCoy.

A man who was found inside the home was removed by firefighters. He declined transport to a hospital. McCoy said the man’s dog inside the burning home was found dead.

Firefighters made quick work of the fire and extinguished it within 30 minutes. Investigators were on scene trying to determine what started the blaze.

Santa Ana homeless get hundreds of new socks thanks to Joy of Sox intern and team of volunteers

Ken Steinhardt — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 21:55:57 +0000

Eliza Clark of Newport Beach helped improve the comfort of homeless people in Santa Ana, Wednesday morning, Nov. 22, as she and 11 volunteers passed out hundreds of pairs of new socks to those living around the Civic Center Plaza of the Flags.

Pointing at the Santa Ana Civic Center, Plaza of the Flags, Newport Beach resident Eliza Clark, Joy of Sox intern, joined by 11 volunteers prepare to pass out 597 pairs of new socks to the homeless on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Joy of Sox intern Eliza Clark of Newport Beach, center, presents a game plan to 11 volunteers as they prepare to pass out pairs of new socks to the homeless at the Santa Ana Civic Center Plaza of the Flags on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Joy of Sox intern Eliza Clark and 11 volunteers are surrounded as they begin to pass out pairs of new socks to the homeless at the Santa Ana Civic Center Plaza of the Flags on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Newport Beach brother and sister Eliza Clark, 21, and Owen Elliot Clark, 10, sort through pairs of new socks as they pass them out to the homeless at the Santa Ana Civic Center Plaza of the Flags on Wednesday morning. Clark, an intern for The Joy of Sox, is joined by 11 volunteers passing out 597 pairs at the plaza. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Working for her daughter Eliza Clark, Shannon Stewart, left, hands a pair of socks to D.K., 54. The Joy of Sox, fueled by 11 volunteers, pass out pairs of new socks to the homeless at the Santa Ana Civic Center Plaza of the Flags on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Clark distributed the socks as part of her internship with the nonprofit The Joy of Sox. She learned about the organization while studying Peace and Justice, with a minor in Communications, at Villanova University, where she’s now a senior. She earned the internship following a thank you letter she wrote after volunteering.

“I found homelessness frustrating,” said Clark, 21. “You don’t want to donate your old socks when going through your clothing because they’re dirty and gross. There’s a need for clean new socks among the homeless. Our goal is everyone has clean socks.”

Clark and her volunteers distributed the bundle of 597 new socks in about 15 minutes after being surrounded when they arrived at the plaza.

In return, they received many “Happy Thanksgiving” wishes.

Westbound 91 freeway closed indefinitely; at least one person trapped after semi truck overturns, spills debris

Chris Haire, Ken Steinhardt — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 18:02:33 +0000

BUENA PARK – At least one person was trapped in a vehicle Monday morning, Oct. 2, after a tractor-trailer truck overturned on the 91 freeway – spilling debris and blocking all lanes.

The semi overturned around 10:07 a.m. on the westbound 91, heading toward Los Angeles, just east of Magnolia Street and the I-5 freeway, said Officer Monica Posada of the California Highway Patrol.

As of 10:45, the semi was still on its side, laying across all lanes. It is unclear if the debris that spilled was dirt, sand or something else.

Besides the truck, at least one other vehicle was involved in the collision.

A tow rig operator guides a suspended Toyota Prius as it is towed from the center divider. At least one person was trapped in a vehicle after a tractor-trailer dump truck overturned on the 91 freeway spilling sand and blocking all lanes in Buena Park on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
At least one person was trapped in a vehicle Monday morning, Oct. 2, after a tractor-trailer truck overturned on the 91 freeway Ð spilling debris and blocking all lanes. (Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register, SCNG)
California Highway Patrol officer Dale Witham radio information where at least one person was trapped in a vehicle after a tractor-trailer dump truck overturned on the 91 freeway spilling sand and blocking all lanes in Buena Park on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A firefighter looks inside a Toyota Prius where at least one person was trapped after a tractor-trailer dump truck overturned on the 91 freeway spilling sand and blocking all lanes in Buena Park on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Motorists stand on the shoulder after a tractor-trailer dump truck overturned on the 91 freeway spilling sand and blocking all lanes in Buena Park on Monday morning. Four people were taken to nearby hospitals after the collision. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Motorists watch as firefighters work a collision where at least one person was trapped in a vehicle after a tractor-trailer dump truck overturned on the 91 freeway spilling sand and blocking all lanes in Buena Park on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Motorists leave their cars to watch as firefighters work a collision where at least one person was trapped in a vehicle after a tractor-trailer dump truck overturned on the 91 freeway spilling sand and blocking all lanes in Buena Park on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Motorists leave their cars to get a better look at a tractor-trailer dump truck overturned on the 91 freeway spilling sand and blocking all lanes in Buena Park on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A California Highway Patrol officer looks inside a Chevrolet Cobalt after a tractor-trailer dump truck overturned on the 91 freeway spilling sand and blocking all lanes in Buena Park on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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It was unknown if the trapped party is in the truck or the other vehicle, or if there are multiple people trapped, Posada said. Firefighters were surrounding both the cab of the truck and the other vehicle.

What caused the truck to overturn is unknown, Posada said.

4 people playing croquet are injured after tree falls on them in Costa Mesa park

Scott Schwebke, Ken Steinhardt — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 17:13:57 +0000

Four people were injured Monday, Sept. 25 by a falling tree at Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa, authorities said.

The quartet, senior citizens, were playing croquet underneath a ficus tree at 9:40 a.m. when they heard a 50-foot-long section of the trunk begin to fall, said Capt. Chris Coates of the Costa Mesa Fire Department.

They scattered but were struck by branches.

All four received minor injuries, with one treated at the park, in the 3000 block of Bear Street, and the three others taken by ambulance to Hoag Memorial Hospital.

Alex Dinh, 27, of Anaheim was in his car at the park.

“As soon I saw the tree fall, I got out my car and ran straight to them,” he said. “The big branches fell on one woman and smaller branches fell on the others. I got down on my knees and supported the woman’s neck from the pressure of the branch.”

Firefighters and medics move one of three people injured to an ambulance after a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on the group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Richard Koehler, for the Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighters treats one of three people injured after a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on the group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Richard Koehler, for the Orange County Register/SCNG)
Officials look at a fallen tree after three people are injured after a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on the group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Richard Koehler, for the Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighters get a good look at a fallen tree after three people are injured after a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on the group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Richard Koehler, for the Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighters treat one of three people injured after a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on the group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Richard Koehler, for the Orange County Register/SCNG)
Officers look over a fallen tree where three people were injured when the 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on the group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An officer looks over a fallen tree after three people were injured when a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on a group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighters and police officers finish up after three people were injured when a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on a group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighters get a look at a fallen tree after helping rescue three people that were injured when a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on a group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fire Battalion chief takes a picture of a fallen tree after helping rescue three people who were injured when a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on a group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alex Din talks with reporters after seeing three people injured when a 50-foot section of a ficus tree fell on the group seniors playing croquet in Shiffer Park in Costa Mesa on Monday morning. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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At least one person dead, others injured in multi-car crash on 22 freeway in Orange

Ken Steinhardt, Alma Fausto — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 00:16:04 +0000

At least one person died and others were injured after four cars collided on the 22 freeway Thursday morning, Sept. 21 in Orange.

According to the California Highway Patrol, there was a fatality in the crash which happened just before 11 a.m. Sgt. Chris Johnson said at the scene that a car was merging onto the westbound lanes of the 22 freeway near Main Street when the driver lost control of the car.

The driver traveled across multiple lanes hitting three other cars in the process before striking the center divider.

A woman returns to her sedan in a blanket protecting her from the rain on the westbound 22 freeway in Orange after multiple people were injured and at least one person died in a chain reaction collision Thursday. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighters treat a woman as multiple people were injured and at least one person died in a chain reaction collision on the westbound 22 freeway in Orange on Thursday. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A firefighter retrieves a hydraulic hose after helping cut the roof off a Toyota Solara coupe, rescuing a couple that were badly injured during a chain reaction collision collision on the westbound 22 freeway in Orange on Thursday. Multiple people were injured and at least one person died in the crash. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
California Highway Patrol officers work a traffic collision investigation where multiple people were injured and at least one person died in a chain reaction collision on the westbound 22 freeway in Orange on Thursday. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
California Highway Patrol officers and a witness look at a damages Acura sedan after multiple people were injured and at least one person died in a chain reaction collision on the westbound 22 freeway in Orange on Thursday. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Three lanes of the westbound 22 freeway were closed down after multiple people were injured and at least one person died in a chain reaction collision in Orange on Thursday. Firefighters used hydraulic equipment to cut the roof off a white Toyota Solara to rescue a couple. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A California Highway Patrol officer measures the scene after multiple people were injured and at least one person died in a chain reaction collision on the westbound 22 freeway in Orange on Thursday. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A tow rig operator helps sweep the roadway after multiple people were injured and at least one person died in a chain reaction collision on the westbound 22 freeway in Orange on Thursday. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Two people in a Toyota Solara coupe, an older man and woman, had major injuries, Johnson said. Soon after the California Highway Patrol deemed the incident a fatality crash. Details about who died were not available.

The drivers of the other three vehicles were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.

It was unclear if the pair in the Solara were the ones who merged onto the freeway and lost control. CHP officers shut down the carpool lane and the lane next to it while they cleared the scene of the cars and transported the patients.

All lanes were clear just before 1 p.m.

Driver describes close call with plane crash on 405 freeway: ‘It slid right in front of me’

Ian Wheeler, Ken Steinhardt — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 20:55:15 +0000

Commuters on the I-405 were stunned Friday morning, June 30, when a small plane carrying two people crashed onto the freeway near John Wayne Airport and burst into flames.

Neilson Dong was driving in the far-right lane when he noticed the plane, a twin-engine Cessna, flying very low.

“I saw it turn around very sharply,” Dong said. “I felt something was wrong, so I slowed down. I saw it descend and then it clipped something in the middle of the freeway and it slid right in front of me and caught on fire.”

The plane struck one car and debris hit three others as it skidded across southbound lanes and slammed into a divider.

“I’m really glad that I slowed down when I saw the plane. If I had driven any faster, it would have clipped me right in the side. I slammed on the brakes when I saw it,” Dong said.

Dong said he drove around the crash, got out of his car and ran to the plane to help the pilot and passenger. The plane’s right wing took the brunt of the impact, he said – the cabin stayed intact and its doors opened easily.

Dong saw a female passenger get out of the plane; her head was bleeding.

Another passerby who said he was a firefighter pulled the male pilot out of the wreckage, Dong said, and two others who said they were nurses also stopped to help and started first aid on the pilot and passenger.

The 62-year-old pilot and his 55-year-old passenger were hospitalized. Their conditions are unknown. No drivers were injured.

Man wanted in stolen car pursuit surrenders in front of Anaheim police station

Ken Steinhardt, Alma Fausto — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 20:31:17 +0000

A man driving a car reported stolen out of Riverside led police on a pursuit that ended in front of Anaheim Police Department headquarters Monday, June 26.

Anaheim police were helping the Riverside Police Department, which had located the stolen car through a tracking device the vehicle had.

Officers found the white Mercedes sedan near Savanna Street and Knott Avenue and a pursuit began, said Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt.

Police pursue and later arrest a man driving a white Mercedes through Anaheim on Monday. The vehicle theft suspect called 911 during the pursuit to inform police he would be driving to the police station. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Police prepare to approach a car after a pursuit and the arrest of a man driving a white Mercedes through Anaheim on Monday. The vehicle theft suspect called 911 during the pursuit to inform police he would be driving to the police station. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Police approach a car with their guns drawn after a pursuit and the arrest a man driving a white Mercedes through Anaheim on Monday. The vehicle theft suspect called 911 during the pursuit to inform police he would be driving to the police station. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Police investigate a stolen white Mercedes in their department parking lot after a pursuit and arrest of a man driving in Anaheim on Monday. The vehicle theft suspect called 911 during the pursuit to inform police he would be driving to the police station. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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During the pursuit, the driver swallowed drugs, according to police.

At some point, the driver called 911 and said he would be driving to the Anaheim Police Department station on Harbor Boulevard and Santa Ana Street.

About noon, the man drove into the parking lot in front of the police station and surrendered peacefully to police, Wyatt said. The man was taken to a hospital to be evaluated for the drugs he ingested.

No injuries were reported.

Swarm of bees removed from inside Huntington Beach home

Alma Fausto, Ken Steinhardt — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 20:12:53 +0000

HUNTINGTON BEACH – A swarm of bees took up residence inside a home here, freely flying about inside.

A video posted on social media by a neighbor shows the bees flying about inside the home in the 20700 block of Mataro Lane.

A bee climbs draperies in Homeowner Noreen McLaughlin living room as a swarm of bees are removed from her home in Huntington Beach on Thursday. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Homeowner Noreen McLaughlin talks about a swarm of bees that made a home in her chimney in Huntington Beach on Thursday. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Homeowner Noreen McLaughlin sealed her fireplace as Bee Keeper Isak Kharrazzi suggested after she discovered a swarm of bees in her home in Huntington Beach on Thursday. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bee Keeper Isak Kharrazzi talks with homeowner Noreen McLaughlin after looking around her living room as a swarm of bees invaded her home in Huntington Beach on Thursday. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bee Keeper Isak Kharrazzi scoops up a small swarm of bees from a home in Huntington Beach on Thursday. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bee Keeper Isak Kharrazzi talks with homeowner Noreen McLaughlin as reporters record the story after he removed a small cluster of bees from her home in Huntington Beach on Thursday. (Photo by KEN STEINHARDT, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Holly Davis, who posted the video, lives next door and saw – and heard – the bees first on
Wednesday.

“They were flying around everywhere, inside the window,” Davis said. “It was a shock.”

Davis is a friend of the homeowners and saw the swarm mostly in the kitchen and living room. During the night, she said, the owners stayed in the house avoiding those two rooms.

A beekeeper came out Thursday, June 15 to remove the remaining bees, which were mostly inside the chimney. Many of them had left overnight, said bee keeper Izak Kharrazi of All Valley Honey & Bee.

“(Most) flew away and there was about the size of my fist of leftover bees up there,” Kharrazi told reporters.

He took the remaining bees and said his organization would find a place to house them.

There were no reports of anyone getting stung.