Hydrant vandals spark complaints

Mayors and fire services have complained about the rise in the number of fire hydrants being illegally opened in the heatwave, putting lives in danger and wasting millions of litres of water.

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Pompiers in Paris say vandals could cause flooding and even electrocution if water reaches power supplies. In 2015 a child was badly hurt when hit in the face by high-pressure water.

Figures from Le Monde claim 450,000m3 of water has been wasted across France – about half that of Lake Annecy.