There's a bee hive on the roof of Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 17 -- and firefighters are happy they it's there.
Fire Chief Lee Soptich told KCPQ-TV that he wanted to help give the misunderstood insects a safe place to call home.
He came up with the idea after noticing that some Seattle skyscrapers hallow hives place on top of them.
He contacted the City of Issaquah and a full hive arrived at the station on April 16.
The Eastside Volunteer Firefighter’s Association covered the $3,000 start-up costs for the project.
"We know it may not seem like much, but it's something now and may lead to something more in the future," he told the news station.
So that the bees don't interfere with day-to-day operations, the station will have licensed bee keepers maintain the hive.
Soptich said that not only are they helping the bees, but the bees will be helping them in return. The honey they produce will be sold and the proceeds will be donated to local charities.
