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Residents report multiple nonworking hydrants after recent fires; council asks DPS and fire department to investigate
Summary
Residents described several incidents in which nearby fire hydrants did not work, including a recent house fire that killed a longtime resident; the fire chief said engines carry water and crews inspect hydrants seasonally, and staff promised further follow-up.
Multiple residents during the meeting’s public comment period told the City Council that nearby fire hydrants failed to deliver water during several recent fires, including a house fire that resulted in the death of a longtime resident.
Resident Michael (Mister) Warren recounted neighborhood incidents dating back to 2015 and said a McDonald Street house fire resulted in the death of a man who “we love so dearly.” Warren said the hydrant “was less than 75 feet from his house, and it did not work,” and asked the council to direct the Department of Public Service to inspect hydrants citywide.
Resident Corey Wilson, who represents a southeastern neighborhood, told the council the closest hydrant to a recent fire was dry and crews had to fetch water from a farther location. “There was no water in that hydrant. They had to come all the way down to my house to use the hydrant. That’s unacceptable,” Wilson said.
Fire Chief Dolly (identified by the mayor as Chief Dolly) responded during the administration portion of the meeting that the department carries water on its engines — typically about 500 gallons — and that crews perform fall inspections on hydrants but do not “flow” every hydrant because running hydrants can discolour residents’ water. “We do check every high every single hydrant in the city for water, every single fall before winter,” the chief said, while acknowledging one hydrant in the recent incident did not work and that the department is continuing to investigate the cause.
The mayor asked that the fire chief and the Department of Public Service follow up and check hydrants in the affected neighborhoods. The mayor also expressed condolences to the family and friends of the resident who died in the fire and said warming centers are available during the cold weather.
Several speakers asked about public records or accountability for hydrant testing. A resident from Hicks and Cherry Hill said a similar issue occurred about a decade ago. Neither a formal report nor an immediate remedial timetable was offered on the council floor; officials said they would investigate and provide follow-up to the council and public.
Council members expressed concern and requested additional information from city staff on hydrant inspection records, flow testing procedures and whether changes to inspection protocols are warranted.
