Last night, a hit-and-run incident in the Westlake neighborhood resulted in an urban geyser and a potential structural crisis for a local church. At approximately 8:58 P.M., an unidentified vehicle rammed into and displaced a fire hydrant at 2235 W Beverly Bl, causing an eruption of an onslaught of water, which threatened the integrity of a two-story, center hall building that houses a place of worship. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), there were no reported injuries, but the resultant water flow from the hydrant has caused substantial damage to the building.
The LAFD quickly responded to the emergency, shutting down the hydrant and pulling together additional resources to assist with water removal operations. Early reports indicate that a large amount of water had already accumulated on both floors of the building, jeopardizing not only property but also the building’s structural stability. As firefighters worked to control the situation, an Urban Search and Rescue team was dispatched to assess the full extent of the damage and determine the safety of the edifice. "Firefighters are shutting down the hydrant and additional resources are enroute to assist with the water removal operation," the LAFD indicated in a statement.
