Beekeeper mourns loss of 200,000 bees in tragic fire incident.

A suspected arson incident has devastated local beekeeper Andrew Dart, 63, from Birstall, resulting in the loss of approximately 200,000 bees. Dart, known as the Birstall Bee Man, found his hives destroyed on July 29 after a neighbor reported smoke in the area, prompting a fire brigade response. The fire not only claimed the bees but also caused £2,500 in damage to beekeeping equipment and destroyed a season's honey valued at around £1,000. Dart expressed deep sorrow for the suffering of the bees during their final moments.