Fire Hydrant Put In Middle Of Miami Beach Yard

MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – Lots of folks in South Florida have yard ornaments: Pink flamingos, manatees, water fountains, fire hydrants. Fire Hydrants?

That's what Jack and Laurie Miller got in their front yard off 29th street on Miami Beach.

They discovered the brand new, bright yellow fire hydrant installed in their yard, amid the palm trees and flowering Reuella plants, about a week ago.

It's situated a good 16 feet from the roadway in the yard of the home the Millers have shared for 42 years.

Laurie Miller said she was aghast to walk out the front door and see the unwelcome steel sculpture.

"I didn't believe it. I didn't believe what I was seeing," Miller told CBS4's Gary Nelson.

She said her neighbors have gotten some good laughs out of the fire plug in her lush lawn.

"They thought it was very funny," Miller said with a wry grin.

The Millers are not at all sweet on the ironically named American Darling fire hydrant.

It turns out the fire plug is on the city right of way that extends far into the Miller's yard, but its placement was in error.

Miller said Miami Beach officials told her the contractor misread plans for the hydrant. The contractor claims it was put just where the plans call for.

In any event, it's going to get moved.

"I'm just glad they got on it right away, and I must commend the city for that," Miller said.

The contractor planned to relocate the hydrant closer to the roadway as soon as Friday.