Montreuil – 21.06.2026: In recent days Montreuil, a town in the Paris metropolitan area, has experienced an extreme heatwave with temperatures above 40°C. Facing the oppressive heat, many residents sought to cool off by opening fire hydrants. However, this behavior, known as “Street Pooling,” is both illegal and dangerous.
The Montreuil municipal administration has repeatedly warned of the risks associated with opening hydrants. Such actions can not only cause serious injuries due to sudden water pressure, but can also compromise the water supply for firefighters, with catastrophic consequences in the event of a fire.
Despite these warnings, some residents continue this practice. Authorities emphasize that opening hydrants without authorization constitutes an offense and will be punished with severe penalties. They urge citizens to act sensibly and ask them to use alternative methods to cool down.
In recent years Montreuil has adopted various measures to help citizens during heatwaves. These include making public drinking fountains available and setting up cool rooms in public buildings. The administration has also launched a special program for particularly vulnerable people to ensure that no one is left alone in this extreme heat.
Despite these efforts, opening hydrants remains a serious problem. Authorities are working closely with the police to counter this behavior and ensure the population’s safety. They stress that the health and safety of citizens are the top priority and that such dangerous practices will not be tolerated.
The current heatwave has once again highlighted the importance of effective preventative measures and the need for close cooperation between authorities and the public. It is hoped that the municipal administration’s appeals and the resources made available will help reduce dangerous behaviors such as opening hydrants and ensure everyone’s safety.
Further initiatives are planned in the coming days to raise citizens’ awareness of the risks of “Street Pooling” and to offer cooling alternatives. The Montreuil administration invites all residents to act responsibly and use the available offerings to cope with the heatwave safely.
In conclusion, opening hydrants in Montreuil during the current heatwave represents a serious public safety hazard. Authorities are doing everything possible to combat this behavior and inform citizens about the risks. It is now up to each individual to act responsibly and use the resources provided to cool off.
Sources
- Ville de Saint-Denis
- Ville de Montreuil