(ETH) – A massive swarm of 40,000 bees has reportedly attacked police and firefighters forcing the closure of a street in Pasadena, California, according to reports. Among those attacked were two firefighters and a police officer among five people sent to the hospital with multiple stings.

The report indicated that the swarm filled an entire block on Colorado Boulevard. “We have firefighters who have been working here for many, many years, and they said this is by far the most bees they’ve seen at one location,”

said Lisa Derderian, spokesperson for the Pasadena Fire Department, the Los Angeles Times reported. Apparently a professional beekeeper had removed a large hive from a nearby Howard Johnson Hotel which may have set the bees off from the noise, movement or removal of the hive.