Here's What Can Happen If You Park in Front of a Hydrant

If you've ever been tempted to park in front of a fire hydrant, a California fire department has a good dose of reality for you. Anaheim Fire and Rescue on Tuesday posed this question on Twitter: "Ever wonder what happens when a car is parked in front of a fire hydrant and a fire breaks out?" It answers it with a photo showing a car with its back windows busted out and a fire hose running through the car. "Is a closer parking spot worth the broken windows and the citation and towing fees to @AnaheimPD?" it continues. Many people tweeted positive reactions. "The owner of that car is totally hosed. Rightfully," wrote one.

As to someone's suggestion that firefighters should have gone over the car's top, the department tweeted on Wednesday, "Nope. The weight would have caused even more body damage and [the] angle down to the hydrant would not allow appropriate water pressure. We don’t intentionally damage people’s property unless absolutely necessary." A follow-up tweet on Wednesday explained why the firefighters went that route. "We posted this incident to illustrate and educate, not to humiliate anyone. In answer as to why break the windows instead of going under, over, or around the car... it doesn't work. The hose needs a straight line out of the hydrant." (Cops say a driver fled the scene of an accident—with a hydrant attached to his car.)