Colorado Firefighters Encounter Malfunctioning Hydrants

A home north of Windsor, Colo., was declared a “total loss” after firefighters were unable to use two nearby hydrants that had malfunctioned.

The Greeley Tribune reports crews were called to the fire in the Northwest Estate subdivision Thursday night but couldn’t remove the caps of two nearby hydrants. Herb Brady, chief of Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue, says they had to use water from another hydrant but could only use smaller 2.5-inch hoses, which are less effective in fighting fully involved structures.

He says the department’s legal counsel is investigating and the North Weld County Water District is supposed to maintain the hydrants.

Don Posselt, district manager of the water utility, says at least one of the hydrants was inspected July 13 and was found to have been in “good working condition.”