Mini Old Faithful at La Cumbre Mall in Santa Barbara

By Michelle Z.

Mid-day visitors to La Cumbre Mall on Saturday were greeted by an extraordinary water display.

Where a fire hydrant once contained water reserves under pressure, there was now a fountain – Old Faithful style – gushing plumes that reached up to 40 feet in the air.

Firefighters on the scene estimated it was releasing “at least 500 gallons a minute,” leaving the adjacent parking lot (and a few unlucky cars parked next to it) doused in flowing water. A few kids seized the moment and were seen playing in the ethereal pools.

The excitement lasted 10-15 minutes until the maintenance crew could arrive and crank the valve closed.

No word on how the disabled hydrant met its fate.