22 Displaced After Fire Hydrant Floods University City Apartments

SAN DIEGO — A driver crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant in the University City area Monday morning, causing water to rush into a nearby apartment complex and displacing 22 residents, authorities said.

The crash was reported shortly after 1:30 a.m. in the 9700 block of Genesee Avenue, San Diego police Officer Tony Martinez said.

The SUV driver told officers he fell asleep before losing control of his vehicle and crashing into the fire hydrant, Martinez said. Intoxication was not believed to have been a factor in the crash.

Water rushed down the street and caused water damage to at least six apartment units nearby, a San Diego Fire-Rescue dispatch supervisor said.

The American Red Cross was called in to help 22 adults, six dogs and a cat arrange for interim lodging, SDFRD spokesman Jose Ysea said.

– City News Service