Fake TX fire hydrant draws attention
HOUSTON (AP) - Houston city workers mistakenly thought a fake fire hydrant was the real thing, painted it blue and gave it a serial number.
The homeowner realized the mistake and contacted the city. Debbie Vogelsang told KPRC-TV that she was concerned that painting the old hydrant in the city's colors could cause dangerous confusion during a fire.
Her boyfriend, Brian Smith, bought the surplus fire hydrant at a garage sale three years ago, painted it red and plopped it next to his palm trees.
However, a Houston maintenance worker last week repainted it yellow and blue and added a serial number. Vogelsang e-mailed the city the same day.
Executive Assistant Fire Chief Rick Flanagan said the city will remove the serial number and a reflector wrongly indicating the fire hydrant was the real thing.
A public workers spokesman said the matter is under investigation.
