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BMW Driver Who Blocked South End Fire Hydrant Apologizes

BOSTON (CBS) - The driver of a BMW parked in front of a fire hydrant during a South End fire on Sunday is apologizing.

It happened during a three-alarm fire that didn't hurt anyone, but heavily damaged three units on Rutland Street. Firefighters were so ticked off that they tweeted pictures of the car.

The driver, who did not want to give his name, said he is embarrassed and never saw the hydrant when he parked.

"It's a terrible feeling to think that because I didn't pay close enough attention, something terrible could have happened," he told WBZ-TV's Jim Smith.

The hydrant blocker felt so bad that he even went to the local firehouse to apologize.

"They said not to worry," he said.

Neighbors didn't have as much sympathy.

"I think it's terrible that someone thought they were able to do that... entitled I guess in their BMW to park in front of a fire hydrant," one man said.

During an East Boston fire in April, a different BMW was blocking a hydrant and firefighters were forced to break a window to run their hose.

This time that wasn't necessary, but the driver is vowing to be more careful.

"I will definitely be paying more attention in the future," he said. "If I were a firefighter and I pulled up to a fire and saw a car blocking a hydrant, I'd be pretty irritated."

The driver's car was towed, and he was ticketed.

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