@... natedog: I’m actually surprised you said that, I’ll explain why the “side openings” called “ponies” are less effective then the main opening called a “steamer.”

Puulaahi: yeah I agree; Paid Firefighting is a joke job most places; volleys (although occasionally annoying) are usually no less professional (read: yes there are dumb asses, but their are dumbass paid guys to), and cost you a shit ton less money in taxes. And they sit around the firehall just to get anyway from their wives.

taustin: There is almost no doubt this is real; I’ve seen similar action taken.

Now to address two misconceptions about this picture.

First: That the ponies (side of hydrant). Ponies in the United States are (supposed to be) 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Steamers (the front) are 5 inches.

A 2-1/2 inch diameter hose creates significantly more friction resistance the a 5 inch line; meaning less water flows through the line, even when much higher pressures are used. Even if you were to use two 2-1/2 lines, you get less water flow then if you had simply used a 5 inch line; and you’ll be running at higher pressure meaning increase risk of bursting a line. (rare, but still a consideration).

Additionally; fire apparatus (regardless of if it a Truck, Engine, Quad, Quint, Tanker), as a limited about of room for hose. Most would not keep two lines ready to hook up to the ponies because doing so is simply not practical. (Consider that ideal hydrants are spaced 500 ft apart, most engines carry ~ 1000ft of hose to “tag” [hook up to] a hydrant).

Additionally: it would take a hell of a lot less time to break out two windows, and run the line through, then it would take to pull off two 2-1/2 lines and hook them both up.

The hose does not go the wrong way at all. Fire hydrants only have one 5 inch connection, meaning the hose has to go out from the front of it. Once a line pressurizes it is only so flexible, so even if it did not have to go through that window, it would probable still be nearly that far out into the roadway.

Also, I see no evidence that anyone ignored the fire: Given that is rather difficult to put a fire out without using water, obtaining a water source is a high priority in any attempt to extinguish a blaze. A House fire (read, more then a room) takes thousands (if not 10s of thousands) of gallons of water to put out. A tanker might carry 3000 gallons, but since this is a urban are, the odds are they only have engines and trucks, so you are talking about 250 to maybe 1000 gallons (although 1000 gallon engines are normally seen only in rural areas)