BELLINGHAM - At least five homeowners in Bellingham are cleaning up after waking up in the middle of the night to find water gushing into their houses.
Bellingham Police arrested a 19-year-old man, who they say is responsible for uncapping five fire hydrants throughout the city, sending a high pressured stream of water flowing into the streets and into basements.
"I thought someone woke up to take a shower," says Pat Radisich. She lives on 17th street in Bellingham and received substantial water damage costing several thousand dollars.
"Water filled my dryer!" she says.
Two hydrants were opened in the Fairhaven Neighborhood on Bayside Road in Bellingham. One family is airing out their basement where water damaged brand new carpeting.
The teenager was arrested after a short vehicle pursuit with Bellingham Police Friday morning. A passenger in that same vehicle fled the scene and is still at-large.
"We want to find that person," says Bellingham Police Spokesman Mark Young. "The teenager we have in custody right now is not talking to us. But he did indicate the two were just 'being stupid'".
Young says the teen was also drunk and in possession of Marijuana.
Police are holding the teen's vehicle as evidence. Investigators found several hydrant caps in the vehicle and a pair of rubber boots.
"This was also a public safety issue," says Young. "If five hydrants are all gushing at once, it lowers the water pressure in the entire city. That could be a hindrance to fire fighters trying to put out a fire if they had to".
The teen is booked in the Whatcom County Jail and is facing charges of Malicious Mischief, DUI and possession of Marijuana.
Homeowners, meanwhile, are left with a mess that could take days to clean.
"How can anyone find fun in opening fire hydrants?" says Radisich.
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