By Belinda Nolan
A BURST fire hydrant caused an unexpected downpour in Tullamarine last week, sending a tower of water shooting high into the sky.
The impromptu display began when a driver accidentally ran over the fire hydrant on Assembly Drive on Wednesday afternoon, after failing to notice it when turning into a driveway.
The jet of water rose high above the streetscape, shaking the powerlines and spraying cars and passers by.
The deluge caused minor flooding to several nearby businesses and forced customers to take shelter indoors.
Sam Salerno’s business, Mastercut Foods, copped the brunt of the cascade, which lasted less than 30 minutes.
The footpaths and car park in front of his shop were swamped, with minor flooding inside.
Mr Salerno said he had been working at the shop for 15 years and it was the first time he had been flooded.
“It’s stopped the customers from coming,” Mr Salerno told Star.
City West Water spokesman Lou Simonetta said workmen responded quickly to the scene to shut down the water and make repairs.
He said it was impossible to pinpoint how much water had been lost in the leak.
