(photo by Edwin Folven)

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) crews worked quickly Wednesday morning to remove mud from roadways in the Hollywood Hills after a sheared fire hydrant caused mud to flow south to Sunset Boulevard. LADWP spokeswoman Kim Hughes said the sheared fire hydrant was reported at approximately 12:30 a.m. on May 18 near Grand View and Cole Crest Drives. Media reports indicated a vehicle may have struck the fire hydrant and driven away, but Hughes and law enforcement officials could not confirm the reports. Firefighters and LADWP crews shut off the water shortly after the incident was reported, but the water that was released caused street flooding and mudflow. No significant damage to homes was reported and water service was only shut off to the hydrant. Mud flowed into some residential backyards and down Kings Road to Sunset Boulevard. Hughes did not have an exact time when the clean up would be completed, but it was expected to take several hours.