No Injuries Reported In Murrieta 'Gusher'

MURRIETA, CA — A fire hydrant was sheared by a delivery truck driver in Murrieta on Tuesday afternoon, but no injuries were reported.

The incident occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. near the Tractor Supply Company parking lot at 27826 Clinton Keith Road.

A truck driver was making a delivery to the business when he accidentally backed into the hydrant, causing water to spew into the air. The water flowed south through the parking lot toward Starbucks and several other businesses.

According to a photographer at the scene, Murrieta Fire & Rescue crews tried to access the hydrant's shutoff valve, but the immense water flow blocked them. Instead, they first reduced the pressure by shutting off a larger valve located at the edge of the shopping center, which allowed them to access the hydrant valve. The process took about 40 minutes.

There was no property damage reported — other than the hydrant.