The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is investigating fire hydrants that appeared to be tampered with and intentionally damaged.

Over the weekend, a fire in Sully prompted response from Sully, Kellogg, Lynnville, and Reasnor Fire Departments and another in Prairie City prompted response from Colfax and Monroe Fire and Rescue.

Sometime during these two structure fires, the Jasper County Sheriff Office says someone tampered with and damaged water hydrants. Three of these hydrants were in the City of Reasnor, and one hydrant was located near the Central Iowa Water Association Water Tower east of Prairie City. One in Reasnor was damaged and unusable to the fire department.

Central Iowa Water Association personnel were contacted and responded to stop the water loss, which amounted to approximately 300,000 gallons. The tampering of these two water sources did not impact the water supply of local fire departments had available during the two structure fires.

“We have initiated a criminal investigation. We do not believe the two structure fires were related, however we are investigating the coincidence of the water sources being tampered with during that time frame,” John R. Halferty wrote in a release. “Not only could these acts have caused a significant impact on the safety of our local fire fighters and their ability to perform their duties, but could also impact the safety of citizens and protection of their property.”

Anyone with information that may relate to the person or person(s) who damaged and tampered with these fire hydrants is asked to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 641-792-5912.