Water from a fire hydrant sheared by a vehicle damaged the sanctuary and as many as five unoccupied classrooms at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church in Studio City Tuesday.
A vehicle sheared a fire hydrant in the 3900 block of Avenida Del Sol, near Coldwater Canyon Avenue, around 5:20 p.m., causing a high-pressure release of a high volume of water, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The vehicle’s driver left the scene prior to the arrival of firefighters and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power personnel, Humphrey said.
Firefighters and DWP personnel were able to stop the flow of water from the hydrant, Humphrey said.
Firefighters spent hours sweeping water from the church’s sanctuary and classrooms and attempted to salvage precious contents, Humphrey said.
Department of Building and Safety personnel also responded to the scene to evaluate the extent of property damage.
It’s unclear what caused the hydrant to spew gallons of high-pressure water.