Thousands of bees were set loose in a local neighborhood, causing officials to shut down roads, and work for hours to get the problem under control.

Officials said an extermination attempt gone wrong on the 700 block of Marshall Street, sent thousands of bees swarming into McMechen, W.Va., Saturday evening.

"They were all coming out and getting around everybody," said nearby resident JoAnn Freeland.

Officials said getting the bees under control was an extremely difficult problem for them.

"That many bees at one time stinging anybody would be dangerous, but if you're allergic to it, one sting could be fatal. So it had the potential for a real problem," said Fire Chief John Eikleberry.

The bees swarmed the speed limit sign across the street, and officials had to isolate the entire area, and detour traffic for hours. Neighbors across the street told NEWS9 they've never had any problems with bees there before, and were shocked to hear that thousands were swarming just steps away from their homes.

"Wonder why they never showed up before? I just wonder why no body noticed it," questioned Freeland.

"I was surprised, I was very surprised. There was probably three or four thousand bees all in a hive. But that's the way bees travel, they follow the queen," said Mayor Paul Maxwell.

Officials had to call a beekeeper in from Cameron, W.Va., to get the problem under control.

"By the time he got here they said it didn't take him long to get it under control," said Eikleberry.

Amazingly no one was stung in the incident. Officials told NEWS9 they have been keeping a close eye on that area ever since, and exterminators are scheduled to do some more work.

Jackie Cain, NEWS9