Kids in Milwaukee took advantage of the unauthorized opening of a fire hydrant to cool off from hot temperatures June 29, as cool water sprayed near North 21st and West Vliet streets before the city’s Water Works department shut it down.
Children, some in colorful swimsuits and others fully clothed, laughed, splashed and played games in the water.
While the scene offered children temporary relief from the heat, Water Works officials said residents should not open fire hydrants on their own, as doing so can damage the water system and pose safety hazards.
“Fire hydrants have to be operated a specific way,” a Water Works official said. Improperly opening or closing a hydrant can damage underground water mains, leading to broken pipes, flooded streets and potentially affecting the hydrant’s availability during an emergency.
The department responded by shutting off the hydrant and reminded residents to use splash pads, pools or other designated cooling areas during periods of extreme heat instead of opening hydrants.
Milwaukee-area temperatures were expected to reach the low to mid-90s, with an afternoon heat index between 100 and 105 degrees. The National Weather Service office in Milwaukee/Sullivan also said high humidity was expected during the extreme heat.
The extreme heat warning was issued to Marquette, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Iowa, Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Lafayette, Green, Rock, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties. The warning expires at 7 p.m. July 1.
Milwaukee police remained at the scene until Water Works crews shut off the hydrant but did not force children to leave. The children left after the water was turned off.
Adrienne Davis is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kids cool off in unauthorized Milwaukee fire hydrant spray
Reporting by Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
