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Misty Jain

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  • Published: Mar 17 2025 04:11 AM
  • Last Updated: May 29 2025 11:49 AM

A truck hit a fire hydrant in North Hills, causing a geyser that collapsed a nearby T-Mobile store. The driver fled; no injuries were reported, but the building is condemned.


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Crazy Scene in North Hills: T-Mobile Store Collapses!

Okay, so you won't believe what happened in North Hills, Los Angeles, this past Sunday, March 16th, 2025. A pickup truck, a fire hydrant, and a T-Mobile store walked into a bar… well, not exactly, but it was pretty wild. A dark-colored truck somehow slammed into a fire hydrant near Nordhoff Street and Sepulveda Boulevard. Honestly, who saw that coming?

The impact? Let's just say it wasn't pretty. The hydrant got sheared right off, and water started shooting up like a geyser in a bad action movie. This wasn't just a little trickle; we're talking a massive torrent of water, enough to completely swamp the roof of the one-story T-Mobile store.

The Whole Thing Went South Quickly

It all happened around 3 p.m. Videos from the Citizen app showed this insane fountain of water erupting before crashing down onto the building. You know how sometimes things just spiral? Well, this was one of those times. The sheer weight of the water, combined with the force of the impact, caused part of the roof and a couple of walls to just… collapse. It kinda felt like watching a slow-motion trainwreck.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was on the scene fast, along with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to shut off the water – imagine trying to do that with a geyser spraying everywhere! They also called in the Department of Building and Safety to check out the damage and SoCalGas to make sure there weren't any gas leaks. Thankfully, no one was hurt – that's the real miracle here.

The Aftermath: A Total Mess

The T-Mobile store? Total loss. Pictures and videos show major cracks and structural damage; it's not going anywhere but the demolition pile. The LAPD is looking for the driver of the truck, who apparently took off after the accident. Seriously? That's just adding insult to injury.

Lessons Learned (and a Little Reminder)

This whole thing is a really strong reminder of how important those fire hydrants are. They're not just pretty red things; they're crucial for our safety. Local resident Lew La Chance is absolutely right – we need to keep them clear, especially with winter weather around. Clearing snow and debris is a simple thing that can save lives.

It also showed just how well different city departments can work together in an emergency. The quick response from the LAFD, LADWP, and others probably prevented things from getting even worse. So, let’s all remember to drive safely and keep those hydrants clear! It could save a building (and maybe a few headaches).

FAQ

A truck struck a fire hydrant, creating a large geyser of water that undermined the building's foundation, leading to its collapse. The driver of the truck left the scene.

No injuries were reported as a result of the truck hitting the hydrant and the subsequent building collapse. Emergency services responded to the scene.

The T-Mobile store has been condemned following the collapse and is currently unsafe to enter. It is unclear when or if it will be repaired or rebuilt.

No, the driver of the truck fled the scene after hitting the fire hydrant. Police are investigating the hit-and-run incident and searching for the driver.

Besides the T-Mobile store collapse, there was significant water damage from the geyser created by the burst fire hydrant. The extent of the damage is still being assessed.

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