RAMSEY -- Two amateur beekeepers were attacked by their own colony Saturday before the bees swarmed through the neighborhood, sending the couple to the hospital and prompting an alert by local emergency management officials.

An elderly man, who was keeping a hive at his private residence on Martis Avenue, and his wife were stung multiple times and sent to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood for treatment, Ramsey Police Chief Bryan Gurney said.

The NJ Office of Emergency Management Ramsey issued a warning on Facebook at about 2:30 p.m. urging local residents to stay clear of the intersection of Martis and Elizabeth avenues.

The following is an important message from Ramsey OEM: A bee hive was accidentally disturbed in the area of Martis Ave... Posted by Ramsey, NJ Office of Emergency Management on Saturday, July 15, 2017

"The bees are aggressive and have dispersed throughout the area of Martis, Elizabeth, Rose, Refy, Armstrong and Maple," the statement said. "Ramsey Police and Emergency Services are in the area assisting."

Gurney, who was stung several times responding to the incident, said it was unclear if the queen bee died, if the hive was overpopulated or if someone had disturbed it. He says no local ordinances prohibit the keeping of bees.

"I don't know what happened, but two people were sent to the hospital as a result," he said.



A local beekeeping group and an exterminator were sent to the scene, Gurney said. The beekeeping group arrived first and transported the hive to a safe location. He said the swarm had appeared to have dispersed by Saturday evening.

There has been an incident of bee swarming in the area of Martis and Elizabeth Avenue. Further updates when we get them.... Posted by Ramsey, NJ Office of Emergency Management on Saturday, July 15, 2017

David J. Del Grande may be reached at ddelgrande@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SLOSONE. Find NJ.com on Facebook.