Gatineau sports bar builds patio around fire hydrant

A sports bar in Gatineau, Que., hoped to serve its customers around a fire hydrant, but city officials weren't very thirsty for the idea.

The newly-built raisedpatio at Ple-Mle in the city's Hull sector violated city by-laws because a fire hydrant sat in the middle, just popping above the patio's surface.

Fire hydrants must have a 1.5-metre radius of free space around them to ensure access to firefighters. This hydrant had wood surrounding it just inches away.

Gatineau city officials told CBC News the bar's owner never asked permission to build around the hydrant.

On Sunday, the bar acted in response by taking apart the patio. City officials said they would continue to investigate.