Sheared Hydrant in Hollywood Leaks for Three Days

It took two hours Friday night to fix a fire hydrant that had been flowing for 3 1/2 days after it gushed onto Hollywood streets when it was sheared for unknown reasons.

Firefighters said the hydrant, on the southwest corner of Sunset Boulevard and North Laurel Avenue, exploded around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. They said they called in the Department of Power and Water to shut it off.

Crews attempted to shut it off completely then, but it needed significant repairs, according to Joe Ramallo, a DWP spokesman.

And crews returned to fix it on Friday.

Rafael Garcia watched the steady stream and did not stay silent. He said he tried to reach the DWP by phone.

"I call one time," he said. "Nobody answer the phone. I stay on the line maybe 20-25 minutes."

The cause of the break was unknown.

The news comes as the city has vowed to crack down on water wasters during a historic drought in the state.

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