A New York motorist was given a costly lesson after firefighters tried to open a clogged fire hydrant themselves.
A recent video from the scene posted by FDNY Response Videos shows firefighters on the scene of a massive blaze, with two of them breaking through the front windows of a gray Honda sedan to attach a hose to a fire hydrant.
The four-alarm fire broke out on June 20 at 3045 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. The massive blaze destroyed a Dunkin’ Donuts, a fabric store, a Chinese restaurant, a furniture store and a 99-cent store.
Public records show this was not the first time the driver blocked a fire hydrant, among other violations.
A recent clip from the scene posted by FDNY Response Videos shows firefighters at the scene of the monstrous blaze, with two of them breaking through the front windows of a gray Honda sedan to attach a hose to a fire hydrant.
The unidentified owner of the car has an outstanding fine of $9,255.28, dating back to 2023. In two years, the driver has committed 33 fire hydrant violations.
Video footage of the raging fire shows a thick plume of dark smoke billowing through the air as several fire engines arrive at the scene.
Firefighters approach the fire, some climbing ladders to the roof of the building, while others attach hoses to nearby hydrants.
As the flames grow and spread to nearby businesses, firefighters search for more fire hydrants to pull water from.
A firefighter uses a large medallion to hit the passenger side window of the Honda before moving to the driver’s side.
Video footage of the intense fire shows a thick plume of dark smoke billowing through the air as multiple fire engines arrive on the scene
A firefighter uses a large medallion to hit the passenger side window of the Honda before moving to the driver’s side
As he begins to break the glass from the window, another firefighter clears the glass from the passenger window.
Once both windows are clean, one of the firefighters quickly throws away the garbage bags surrounding the fire hydrant, then helps his colleague grab the bright yellow hose.
Once the two have released the hose, they begin to pull it through the two broken windows of the illegally parked car.
A firefighter then attached the upper portion of the hose to the fire hydrant as it quickly filled with water.
Once both windows are clean, one of the firefighters quickly throws away the bags of trash lying around the fire hydrant before helping his colleague grab the bright yellow hose
The FDNY told DailyMail.com that the fire injured four people, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation
The FDNY told DailyMail.com that four people were injured in the fire, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In New York City, it is illegal to park within 15 feet on either side of a fire hydrant, because emergency services must have access to it at all times.
The standard fine for parking too close to a fire hydrant in the Big Apple is about $115, plus the possibility of your vehicle being towed, according to The law firm of Craig Bondy.
In addition to a fine or being towed, the law firm warned that drivers could also see their insurance premiums skyrocket. Drivers with multiple parking violations could also face additional legal consequences.